Lifeguard Keith Pinto, 19, is killed by lightning and seven others are hurt in strike at Berkeley Township beach

A TEENAGE lifeguard is dead and seven others are injured after lightning struck a beach in New Jersey.

The 19-year-old lifeguard, Keith Pinto, was sitting in his chair when he was tragically hit by the bolt on Monday, WCBS reported.

It marked the second death of a young lifeguard at the Jersey Shore in a little over a week.

Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy said the others were taken to hospitals with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy confirmed that a lifeguard in Berkeley Township was killed in the afternoon.

"Our hearts are with the family and friends of the young lifeguard killed by today’s horrific lightning strike on the beach in Berkeley Township, and we pray for a full recovery for those injured," Murphy, the state’s Democratic governor, wrote on Twitter.

"I’ve spoken to Mayor Carmen Amato and offered the full support and assistance of our administration during this difficult time."

Amato said his township’s beaches will be closed from Tuesday through Thursday as crisis counselors are made available to beach staff and lifeguards.

Four of those struck were lifeguards and four others were beachgoers.

"This is a tragic and heartbreaking day for our town and the entire Jersey Shore," Amato said in a statement.