Staffer Nearly Struck By Lightning At CT's Beardsley Zoo In Bridgeport: Officials

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Lightning struck near an employee of Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport on Tuesday, but the staffer was not seriously injured in the incident, according to officials.

"This afternoon, during the course of routine daily operations, a Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo staff member was maneuvering a fence with chain link when lightning struck in the area," officials wrote in a statement. "The employee experienced contact from the electrical discharge. Out of an abundance of caution the employee went to the local hospital for evaluation. The employee is doing well, and no serious injuries were reported."

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Lightning was reported throughout the region during Tuesday's storm, and flooding from the heavy rains caused road closures in several Fairfield County communities, including in Bridgeport.

"The safety of staff, guests, and animals remains our highest priority," officials said. "The Zoo continues to monitor weather conditions and follows established weather safety protocols."