7 Youth Group Hikers Hospitalized After Lightning Strike in Utah Mountains: ‘50 Youth Felt the Shock’

Kirsty Hatcher

28 June 2024 at 7:11 am·2-min read

The incident, which left two hikers with 'serious symptoms,' happened on Thursday, June 27, in Sevier County

<p>Getty</p> A lightning storm in Utah — Getty
A lightning storm in Utah

Seven youth group members have been hospitalized after lightning struck the ground they were hiking on in Utah.

In a release shared on Facebook on Thursday, June 27, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened earlier that day around 1:45 p.m. local time when a youth group from the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints from the Salina Utah area was hiking in the eastern part of Sevier County.

“A light rainstorm in the area produced water puddling on the ground,” the release continued. “While hiking lightning struck the ground next to the youth. Approximately 50 youth felt the shock of the lightning. 7 of the youth had some medical concerns due to the electrocution.”

The seven individuals were transported to Salina by ambulances where they “were triaged for their symptoms.”

“Two of the youth were experiencing some serious symptoms and were flown via medical helicopter to Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi. The rest of the youth were taken to Gunnison Hospital and Sevier Valley Hospital,” the release added.

<p>Getty</p> A stock photo of a thunderstorm — Getty
A stock photo of a thunderstorm

None of their injuries are expected to be life-threatening, according to the sheriff’s office.

The rest of the youth group was accounted for and brought back to Salina. They have been returned to their parents and no other medical issues had been reported at the time of the release.

“We appreciate all of our first responders who helped respond during this incident,” the release from Sheriff Nathan J Curtis concluded.

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According to the National Weather Service, Utah has seen extreme weather this week, including warnings for flash floods and severe thunderstorms.

A warning issued on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, June 27, read, “A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for much of eastern UT for this afternoon. Threats within this watch include scattered hail up to ping pong ball size, wind gusts up to 70 mph, and frequent lightning! We are still expecting a flash flood threat, in addition. #utwx.”

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