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2 Women In Critical Condition After Being Hit By Lightning At Crane Beach In Ipswich

IPSWICH (CBS) – Two women are in critical condition at Massachusetts General Hospital after they were struck by lighting at Crane Beach in Ipswich.

The women were in cardiac arrest when medics arrived at the scene at around 4 p.m., according to Action Ambulance CEO Mike Woronka. Both women had pulses when they arrived at the emergency room, Woronka said, but were in critical condition. Police said the women were in their 60s or 70s.

Police officers and firefighters performed CPR on the two women before medics arrived, police said. The women had no pulse when personnel got to them, but first responders had restored the ladies' pulses by the time they arrived at the hospital.

The women were taken to Beverly Hospital first and then later to MGH, according to police.

A preliminary investigation concluded the two women were in the water when the storm approached the area quickly and surprised them, police said.

"First and foremost, our hearts go out to the two women who were struck by lightning this afternoon. We wish them the best and we hope they will recover," said Ipswich's Acting Police Chief Jonathan Hubbard. 

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