Beloved N.J. High School Student Shocked By Wires, Falls 30 Feet In Metuchen

A 17-year-old New Jersey boy was shocked by voltage wires and fell 30 feet Tuesday, landing on railroad tracks behind a high school in Metuchen. Police said the boy was in critical but stable condition as of Wednesday afternoon.

Lance Vargas, a popular wrestler at J.P. Stevens High School, remained hospitalized as of Wednesday afternoon, the athletics department confirmed through its Twitter page. Vargas's grandmother posted a plea for prayer on her Facebook page:

The Hawks football team also said it's going to dedicate its Friday football game to Vargas.

The Edison teen was climbing a steel railroad trestle behind St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen when he came in contact with high voltage lines, police said.

The incident happened at 5:34 p.m. when Metuchen police received multiple calls requesting medical assistance for the teen. Officers responded to the railroad trestle behind St. Joseph's High School that is part of the Conrail railroad system, police said.

Metuchen police then located the 17-year-old who was treated at the scene, and then transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. The teen was transferred to Saint Barnabas' Burn Center in Livingston.

Anyone with information should contact Detective James Keane of the Metuchen Police Department at 732-632-8561.

Photo courtesy of News12