Rescue crews recovered four hikers off Humphreys Peak near Flagstaff after struggling with stormy conditions Wednesday.
Two of those hikers had been struck by lightning on the summit of Arizona’s highest peak.
One hiker was able to make their way down after being struck, but the second hiker had to be rescued above 10,500 feet.
Dangerous weather reportedly prevented Search and Rescue from using aircraft, so they drove up a utility road but eventually had to hike in on foot.
Jon Paxton with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said the injured hikers were alert and conscious but sustained apparent burns. Both went to the hospital.
It's not clear if they were struck directly or were hit by lightning traveling through the ground.
Paxton said rescuers simultaneously had to save two boys who got lost after being scared off the main trail by a bear.
Everybody was off the mountain by 7 p.m.
-
Winter in Phoenix never looks like a snow playground. But that’s why so many of us head north up the I-17 to Flagstaff when the weather turns cold for some skiing, snow shoeing or sledding. -
The hazing charge alleges Carter Eslick caused or forced the drinking that led to the death of 18-year-old Colin Daniel Martinez on Jan. 31 at an off-campus house. -
President Donald Trump and his NASA administrator are reviving the Pluto debate again — apparently at the urging of “Star Trek” star William Shatner. -
Investigators released their preliminary report on the DPS helicopter that crashed in Flagstaff last month, killing both officers onboard. The report found no evidence of maintenance issues or ballistic damage but found evidence of main rotor strikes to the tail rotor gearbox. -
The NAU men’s basketball season came to an end Saturday, with a 73-65 loss to Idaho State in the Big Sky Tournament. And it’s the end of an era — the last game called by longtime play-by-play man Mitch Strohman.
