PASSAIC, N.J. (AP) - Authorities say a falling tree branch that killed a man and injured several other people during a Mother’s Day barbecue in New Jersey was downed by strong winds, not lightning.
Witnesses had reported that lightning apparently caused the branch to fall at the Passaic home on Sunday night, as a fast-moving storm was pounding the area.
But NJ.com (https://bit.ly/2rskkwh ) reports that the National Weather Service didn’t find any lighting activity in the area at the time the accident occurred. Officials say the branch was probably knocked down by straight-line winds.
Meteorologist Jeffrey Tongue says the winds reached speeds up to 40 mph.
A 28-year-old man was killed and five other people were injured in the accident.
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Information from: NJ Advance Media.
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