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SUMMIT COUNTY — A man was struck by lightning while hiking Saturday evening.
According to the Summit County Sheriff's Office, around 5:00 p.m., an unidentified man was hiking near Amethyst Lake. He was struck by lightning and later transported to a local hospital in critical condition by medical helicopter.
Police have not released the name of the man or the hospital he was transferred to.
Amethyst Lake a day-long hike from Christmas Meadow, according to the Summit County Sheriff's Office.
This strike comes roughly a week after 24- year-old Jesse King and his dog were struck and killed by lightning near Row Lake while on a fishing trip. King sought shelter under a tree, which was then struck by lighting.
The man is in critical condition.
Drew Jackson, who said he was there during the strike, told KSL that the storm came in too quickly to find shelter. He also said that a dog was killed.
The NOAA recommends that when camping or hiking in an open area during a storm, folks should avoid open fields, stay away from tall isolated trees, camp in a valley or low ravine and to stay away from water and wet things and metal objects like poles or fences.
Photos courtesy of Drew Jackson
