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A 59-year-old man was struck and killed by lightning while hiking a popular mountain peak in Utah with his brother, officials said.
Craig Nelson died just after noon local time on July 18 after being struck by a lightning bolt while summiting American Fork Twin Peaks, Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera reported.
Around 10:30 a.m. MT on the day of the hike, Nelson and his brother stopped to eat on the mountain, and noticed shifting weather, Rivera said during a press conference. The surviving brother later told law enforcement hat the pair did not see lightning, so they decided to continue their hike, Rivera told reporters.
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Then, about 11:45 a.m., the brothers reached an area near the peak, Rivera said, and Nelson's brother decided to head back down the mountain. Nelson continued to summit, but collapsed about 20 feet from his brother after apparently being struck by lightning.
The sheriff's office was notified and a search and rescue team responded to the mountain near the summit of the east peak, officials said. Once the storm had cleared, crews said they located the victim and that he was pronounced dead.
Ski patrol teams later helped safely assist the man's hiking partner off the mountain, the sheriff's office wrote in a news release on Facebook.
"Our sincerest condolences go out to the individual's family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss," the agency wrote.
The local medical examiner will determine Nelson's official cause and manner of death, Rivera said, adding the case remained under investigation.
Utah lightning death marks fifth reported death of 2026
The death marks the fifth person to be killed in a reported lightning strike in the United States so far this year, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.
Last year, 21 people were killed in a strike, and the year before, 14 others died, the agency reported.
The odds of a person being struck in their lifetime (an estimated 80 years) are 1 one in 18,043, the agency said.
How people are struck by lightning
Here are four ways people are struck by lightning as previously reported by USA TODAY:
- Conduction: This is the cause of most indoor lightning deaths and injuries. Lightning travels through wires and other metal surfaces.
- Direct strike: The person becomes a part of the main discharge channel, usually when outside in an open area.
- Side flash: Lightning strikes a tall object and part of the current jumps from the object to the victim − for example, when a person is struck while standing under a tree.
- Ground current: Lightning enters the body at the point closest to a strike, travels through the body and leaves at the contact point farthest away from the initial strike. This causes most deaths and injuries.
Where to shelter if caught outside in a storm:
Do not shelter in unprotected open buildings, such as metal sheds, picnic pavilions, baseball dugouts and porches.
A fully enclosed car or truck is a last resort, but don’t touch the steering wheel, radio or ignition.
If shelter isn't available, keep moving to find a safe place. Don’t lie down or crouch on the ground. Avoid trees, light poles, metal fences and bleachers.
If possible, stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lightning kills hiker on Utah mountain, the 5th such death this year
