The Big Sting: Delayed Lead

                Wednesday, July 21 seemed like a routine beach day – warm water, warm weather, and crowds of people.

                However, the crowd of 50 children running from the water in a panic was far from routine.

                At Wallis Sands State Beach in Rye, NH, approximately 100 people were stung by an unusually large dead jellyfish on Wednesday. Lifeguards pulled a dead 50-pound lion’s mane jellyfish from the water using a pitchfork after the children complained of stings.

                Park manager Ken Loughlin was at the scene when the incident occurred. “I’ve never seen such a thing,” said Loughlin, who has worked at the beach for 30 years.

                According to Robert Royer, an aquarist at the Seacoast Science Center, this species of jellyfish is common in New England. “That’s the largest we have around here. I’ve never heard of them getting 50 pounds, though.”

                Emergency crews from six towns in the Seacoast area were called to the beach. The victims were treated in the bathhouse, while five children were taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital as a precaution to severe allergic reactions. However, no serious injuries occurred, according to hospital officials.