Canadian man survives lightning strike near Arizona's highest mountain peak: reports
A Canadian man is one of two hikers who was struck by lightning on Humphreys Peak near the city of Flagstaff, Arizona, reports Northern Arizona radio news network, Great Circle Media (GMC).
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said two people were struck by lightning on Wednesday morning. The sheriff’s office told several local media outlets, including GMC, AZ Central (of the USA Today Network ), as well as the local FOX and ABC affiliates that one of the hikers was from Flagstaff and the other was from Canada.
They were traveling separately and did not know each other, reports GMC.
According to the website, Live Science , 90 per cent of people survive lightning strikes without a mark, but are often left with nerve damage, neurologic symptoms akin to post-concussion injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Hiking conditions in the area had worsened quickly due to storms throughout the morning.
According to the local ABC News affiliate search and rescue crews were deployed on foot to the area where the men were located. Helicopter rescue operations were grounded because of weather conditions.
First responders made contact with the men round mid-afternoon on Wednesday.
The man from Flagstaff was extracted, treated by medical personnel and released.
Later in the afternoon, the Canadian hiker was extracted by search and rescue teams.
According to the Sheriff’s office, the Canadian’s injuries made it more difficult for them to descend, says GMC . The rescue team had to get the man to a utility terrain vehicle with a stokes basket, which is a stretcher designed for use where there are physical obstacles that impair movement.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jon Paxton told AZ Central confirmed late in the day that both hikers had been rescued and were being treated at a Flagstaff hospital.
At more than 12,600 feet, Humphreys Peak is the highest point in Arizona. It is a part of the San Francisco Peaks.
It’s not the first time someone has been struck by lightning on Humphreys Peak, reports the Arizona FOX News affiliate.
In July 2016, a 17-year-old hiker died and two other teens were injured after being struck by lightning on Humphreys Peak.
NP has reached out to the Sheriff’s Office for comment but did not hear back before publication.
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