A tragic yet heroic incident unfolded at the Jersey Shore this past Sunday when 59-year-old Patrick Dispoto lost his life after being struck by lightning. Dispoto’s final act was one of bravery, as he returned to J Street Beach in Seaside Park, Ocean County, to warn a group of children playing in the water about an impending storm.
According to News 12 New Jersey, Dispoto and his girlfriend, Ruth Fussell, had just left the beach around 7 p.m. when Dispoto noticed ominous clouds approaching. Concerned for the children’s safety, especially since lifeguards had already left for the day, Dispoto decided to return and warn them.
Fussell recalled their last conversation, where she urged him not to go back, but Dispoto insisted, saying he would only take a minute to alert the kids.
Fussell waited anxiously, making three unanswered calls to Dispoto before returning to the beach 15 minutes later. She found him face down in the sand, with a stranger calling for help. Dispoto had been struck by lightning.
Fussell and the stranger’s wife attempted CPR, but unfortunately, Dispoto was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. His death was confirmed to be caused by a lightning strike.
Ruth Fussell described her boyfriend as a selfless individual who was always willing to help others. “His last act of heroism was his ultimate, and that’s my Patrick Dispoto,” she said, emphasizing his courage and kindness.
This heartbreaking event is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by sudden storms. Just three years ago, 19-year-old lifeguard Keith Pinto was also fatally struck by lightning at White Sands Beach in South Seaside Park while trying to get visitors to safety. Pinto’s bravery was commemorated by naming a section of the beach in his honor.
To prevent future tragedies, Seaside Park is installing three lightning warning systems along its mile-and-a-half-long beach. These systems, approved in April, will provide warnings before storms reach the shoreline, giving beachgoers time to seek safety.
Lightning strikes, while statistically rare, pose a significant risk. The National Weather Service reports that an average of 86 people are killed by lightning each year in the United States. The average person has a 1-in-600,000 chance of being struck by lightning in their lifetime. Many fatal strikes occur during outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, or playing golf.
Patrick Dispoto’s courageous actions and tragic death highlight the importance of taking storm warnings seriously and prioritizing safety in unpredictable weather conditions. His selflessness and heroism will be remembered and serve as an inspiration to others.
