2 Women Struck by Lightning in Ipswich, Mass.

The victims were struck on Crane Beach and transported to Beverly Hospital

UPDATE: Officials confirmed on Sept. 15 that the second victim, Marianne Mellnick of Concord, Massachusetts, has died. Police also announced that they had determined the victims were not swimming when they were struck, but walking toward the street.

UPDATE: Officials confirmed on Sept. 8 that the victim from Thompson, Connecticut, has died.

Two women remain in critical condition Sunday after being struck by lightning at Crane Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts, Saturday.

Officials say a 69-year-old woman from Concord and a 61-year-old woman from North Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut, were swimming at the time. They were found with entrance and exit wounds consistent with lightning strikes.

Lifeguards and responders performed CPR on the victims for about 20 minutes, both of whom were in cardiac arrest and had no pulse.

By the time the women arrived at Beverly Hospital, they had heartbeats.

The women were later transported to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims.

Ipswich Police said that the women were struck during the first of three major storms that passed through the community Saturday evening.

According to police, 2,000 customers of Ipswich Electrick Light Department had lost power at one point Saturday. As of 2 p.m. Sunday, 150 remained without power.

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