| (National
Park Service) On Thursday, August 12th, a 58-year-old
Dutch national who was hiking the Bristlecone Loop Trail with his
wife and another couple was struck by lightning near Yovimpa Point
(elevation 9,000 feet). The incident was reported by visitors to a
shuttle bus driver who
immediately called the park via radio. Five rangers responded, but
the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The body recovery and
investigation were conducted jointly by the park and Garfield County
Sheriff’s Department. The last time a visitor was struck by
lightning at
Bryce Canyon was in September,
2002. The woman recovered after spending over a week in intensive
care. It marked the fifth time that a visitor has been struck by
lightning in the park in the last 20 years.
[Submitted by Colleen Bathe, Public Information Officer]
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