Two tourists struck by lightning at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area during a thunderstorm. Importance of precautions during thunderstorms outdoors.
On Monday, August 12, two people were struck by lightning in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona. The National Park Service (NPS) announced Tuesday that two visitors, a 22-year-old from the Netherlands and a 23-year-old from Australia, were injured while standing near the edge of Horseshoe Bend. The two women were transported to St. George Regional Hospital in Utah by Classic Air Medical helicopters. No further details on their conditions are available at this time.
The accident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. during a severe thunderstorm, according to Page police. The area was temporarily evacuated to allow two helicopters to land, and the victims were treated on site before being taken to the hospital.
Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year, killing about 20 people and seriously injuring hundreds more. With a peak temperature of 27,760°C (50,000°F), nearly five times hotter than the surface of the Sun, it is no surprise that lightning can cause such serious damage to the human body. It is therefore essential to take precautions when outdoors during a thunderstorm.
The NPS warns that thunderstorms in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which spans Arizona and Utah, are most frequent and severe during the monsoon season, which typically runs from mid-June to September in Arizona and July to September in Utah. Therefore, visitors are advised to use caution when visiting exposed outdoor areas and be aware of changing weather conditions.
If you hear thunder, you are at risk of being struck by lightning and should seek shelter in a vehicle or building immediately.
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