Update: 07/09/08

Dozens of students gathered at Watertown High School -- not for classes but for consolation after the death of a classmate who was hit by lightning Monday night.

Sixteen-year-old Benjamin Richter died at a hospital after being injured at his family's farm near Watertown. He was a three-sport athlete and high honor student at the school, where he would have been a senior this fall.

He played catcher for the high school baseball team and had been scheduled to play in an American Legion game last night but the game was canceled.

Counselor and basketball coach Jamie Koepp (KEP) says he and other teachers have been making themselves available to talk with students about the death. But he says he's advised them they also need to lean on their friends and console each other.

The funeral is scheduled at 11 a.m. Friday at Cross Point Community Church in Oconomowoc.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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A 16 year-old boy was struck by lightning and later died Monday night in Watertown in southeast Wisconsin.

Ben Richter was standing beneath a tree on his family's farm when lightning hit him on the thigh.

Richter's father administered CPR at the scene until paramedics arrived and treated the boy.

He was taken to Watertown hospital in extremely critical condition.

Richter was pronounced dead a short time later.

"Ben was a good leader in his class, in this school, catcher on the baseball team this year for the legion team and on the basketball team and a good soccer player,” says Kent Jacobsen who knew Richter.

The boy's family issued a statement saying he was a "terrific son and brother" and was a high honor student and a three sport athlete at Watertown High School.