NKyTribune staff report
An 11-year-old girl was killed at Camp Livingston in Switzerland County, Indiana, when a tree that was struck by lightning fell on a cabin at the camp.
The child’s name is not being released, to protect the family’s privacy.
The facility in Bennington, Indiana, is described on its website as a Jewish Overnight Camp.
Camp Livingston is a popular destination for children in Northern Kentucky and throughout the region. While there were no other children injured in the incident, the Camp staff is doing everything possible to accommodate requests from parents concerned about the well-being of their children.
This statement was posted on the Camp Livingston Facebook page:
It is with our deepest sorrows that we share that this email was sent this morning to our camp families:
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we want to inform you that an 11 year-old female camper was seriously injured around 3 a.m. when a healthy tree was struck by lightning and fell on a cabin at camp during a severe storm. Emergency services arrived shortly after the accident, but she did not survive her injuries.
No other children or staff were injured.
The family was notified immediately. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
As we share this sad news with you, all of the campers and staff are being notified of this occurrence. A team of grief counselors from the Cincinnati community will be arriving to camp shortly and will be joining our team in assisting campers and staff.
We understand that you may want to get in touch with your child to see how he/she is coping and we are committed to doing our utmost to facilitate requests. Every child in camp will be calling home today beginning around 10 a.m. – we appreciate your help, patience and understanding as we assist the children through this tragedy. Should you need to reach us directly, you can reach Aaron Slovin, Executive Director, at aaron@camplivingston.com.
Please join us with thoughts and prayers for the family and the entire Camp Livingston family as we work through this difficult time. More information will be shared over the next few days as it becomes available.
Shalom,
Aaron Slovin, Executive Director and Gretchen Myers, President