Tragedy in Central Park: 15-Year-Old Boy Fatally Struck by Lightning During Powerful Northeast Storms That Leave Over 500,000 Without Power
NEW YORK CITY — June 19, 2025 — In a heartbreaking turn of events amid a fierce wave of summer storms sweeping across the Northeast, a 15-year-old boy was struck and killed by lightning Wednesday afternoon while walking through Central Park in New York City. The tragic incident occurred during a series of violent thunderstorms that knocked out power to over half a million residents across several states, left fallen trees in city streets, and sparked flash flooding alerts in multiple regions.
According to the New York City Office of Emergency Management and the NYPD, the teen — whose name is being withheld pending family notification — was with a group of friends near the Great Lawn around 4:15 p.m. when the sky suddenly darkened and lightning began to strike in rapid succession. Witnesses say the storm rolled in quickly, giving little warning before heavy rain and thunder engulfed the area.
The boy was reportedly attempting to leave the park when a bolt of lightning struck a nearby tree, then seemingly redirected into the open space where the teen was running. Emergency responders were on the scene within minutes. Bystanders, including a jogger with medical training, administered CPR before paramedics arrived, but the boy was later pronounced dead at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
“This is an unspeakable tragedy,” said Mayor Eric Adams in a press briefing Thursday morning. “A young life was lost in one of our city’s most cherished public spaces. Our hearts go out to his family, his friends, and the entire community mourning this unimaginable loss.”
The storm that passed through New York was part of a powerful weather system stretching from Washington, D.C., through Boston, bringing torrential rains, powerful winds, and intense lightning across a densely populated corridor. Officials report that over 500,000 homes and businesses were left without electricity from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts, with New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey among the hardest hit.
In New York City, emergency services responded to over 1,300 weather-related calls between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., including reports of downed power lines, flooded streets, and blocked roadways. Multiple subway lines experienced temporary shutdowns or significant delays due to power surges and water accumulation in tunnels.
Central Park alone saw three lightning strikes within a one-mile radius between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Meteorologists emphasized that while lightning fatalities in New York City are rare, sudden summer storms like Wednesday’s pose a significant danger, especially in large urban parks and open recreational spaces.
“We urge all New Yorkers — especially during the summer months — to monitor weather alerts and seek shelter immediately when storms approach,” said NWS meteorologist Jamie Grant. “If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.”
The identity of the 15-year-old is expected to be released later this week, but those close to the family have already begun expressing grief and shock. Social media has seen an outpouring of condolences, with many New Yorkers sharing memories of the storm and voicing sorrow for the young life lost.
“He was a bright, energetic, and kind-hearted boy,” said a family friend who asked not to be named. “He loved soccer, loved music, and had dreams of becoming a teacher. It’s just devastating.”
City officials announced that grief counselors will be made available to students and teachers at the teen’s school in Manhattan, and a candlelight vigil is being organized by local youth leaders for Friday evening near the Bethesda Terrace in Central Park.
The city remains under a state of storm alert as weather officials monitor further development of the low-pressure system. Residents are being advised to stay indoors when thunder is heard, avoid tall structures and open fields, and not to shelter under trees during storms.
As cleanup crews continue working to restore power and remove debris, the city collectively mourns a life lost too soon — a painful reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the need for caution even in familiar, beloved places like Central Park.