A 19-year-old hiker died after lightning struck a small shelter near the summit of Mount Timpanogos in Utah during a severe thunderstorm on September 18th.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team responded to the mountain at approximately 6am after a group of hikers encountered dangerous weather near the summit. Several people were injured when lightning struck the structure where the group had sought shelter.
Lightning Strike Injures Multiple Hikers
According to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, the group had reached the summit of Mount Timpanogos when a large thunderstorm moved into the area. As the storm approached, the hikers entered a small structure known as the Tin Shack near the summit.
The structure was struck by lightning, injuring multiple people inside. One 19-year-old male sustained critical injuries and was pronounced deceased despite efforts to provide medical aid.
Search and rescue personnel reached the summit and worked with other responding agencies to assist those affected by the strike. The high elevation, remote location and severe weather created significant challenges for rescuers during the evacuation. The Utah County Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences to the young man’s family and friends while recognizing the hikers and rescuers who helped those injured in the incident.
Mountain Thunderstorms Can Turn Dangerous Quickly
The incident highlights the dangers thunderstorms can pose to hikers in exposed mountain terrain. Lightning can strike away from the heaviest rainfall, meaning hikers may face a serious threat even when conditions do not appear immediately severe.
The National Weather Service advises hikers to monitor forecasts before heading into the mountains and continue watching conditions throughout a hike. Hearing thunder means lightning is close enough to pose a danger.
Hikers should move away from exposed peaks, ridgelines and other elevated terrain as soon as thunderstorms approach. They should also avoid waiting until a storm is directly overhead before beginning their descent.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office also emphasized that small structures such as sheds and shelters do not provide adequate protection from lightning. The safest options are substantial enclosed buildings or enclosed vehicles with hard tops.
Our thoughts are with the friends, family, and loved ones of the deceased at this time.