Canadian man survives lightning strike near Arizona's highest mountain peak
A Canadian man is one of two hikers who was struck by lightning on Humphreys Peak near the city of Flagstaff, Arizona.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement sent to National Post that it received a 911 call from two male hikers who reported being struck by lightning near the summit of Humphreys Peak.
One of the hikers was from Flagstaff and the other was from Canada, confirmed Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jon Paxton to NP in an email on Friday.
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.
Search and Rescue (SAR) teams were immediately deployed to the Humphreys Trailhead at the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort, northwest of Flagstaff, says Paxton. Aircraft support was requested, he adds, however all aircraft were grounded due to severe lightning, hail, and heavy rain.
“With assistance from Arizona Snowbowl staff, SAR teams utilized a utility road and two (utility vehicles) to close the distance to the injured hikers. Rescuers then advanced on foot to the injured hikers under challenging weather conditions.”
By mid-afternoon SAR teams contacted the Flagstaff man who had descended from the summit and was located at an elevation of 10,650 feet, says Paxton. He reported that the Canadian hiker couldn’t continue the descent and had stopped at roughly 11,800 feet.
A second rescue team reached him late Wednesday afternoon and determined he “was unable to walk out due to the steep terrain and his condition. A litter carry-out was conducted using low-angle rope techniques in sections of the trail requiring additional safety measures.”
Both hikers — who didn’t know each other and were travelling separately — were subsequently taken by ground ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment and observation.
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 . In July 2016, a 17-year-old hiker died and two other teens were injured after being struck by lightning on Humphreys Peak.
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