A 19-year-old man died and multiple people were injured following a lightning strike on the summit of Mount Timpanogos, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred as hikers sought shelter in a small structure known as the Tin Shack during a thunderstorm.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team responded to the summit around 6 a.m. after the lightning struck the shelter. While medical aid was provided to the young man, he was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Search and rescue teams worked alongside other agencies to evacuate injured individuals and provide medical assistance. The Utah County Sheriff’s Office stated that the rescue operation faced significant challenges due to the weather and the location.
This incident marks the second fatal lightning strike in the Wasatch Mountains this year, following the death of a 59-year-old man near the summit of American Forks Twin Peaks in July.
The sheriff’s office advised hikers to monitor changing conditions and check weather forecasts before heading out. Officials noted that small structures like sheds or shelters do not provide adequate lightning protection and recommended seeking shelter in substantial, fully enclosed buildings or enclosed, hard-topped vehicles.
