17-year-old hiker dead after being struck by lightning

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

9 years ago

Lightning rakes the sky over the corner of Third and Beale Streets in Kingman, Ariz. on Monday, July 14, 2014 during a fierce monsoon season thunderstorm. The Kingman Fire Department and Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District handled a half dozen water rescues during and after the storm that littered the community with soggy political campaign signs and piled dirt and debris in streets throughout the community. (Herberta Schroeder/Special to the Las Vegas Review-Journal)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Authorities say a 17-year-old boy has died after being struck by lightning near the summit of Humphreys Peak in northern Arizona.

Coconino County Sheriff’s officials say a group of three hikers called 911 dispatchers shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday to report the incident during a heavy monsoon storm in the Flagstaff area.

A sheriff’s spokeswoman released a statement saying a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man have been transported to Flagstaff Medical Center with injuries that were likely received due to their proximity to the lightning strike. Both were conscious and walking when emergency responders reached them.

She says emergency responders had been delayed due to continuous lightning on the San Francisco Peaks.

The three hikers are from Tempe. No other information was released about the victims.