LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON, Utah — One person died after being struck by lightning while hiking in the mountains south of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office confirmed that they received a report of someone getting hit by lightning near American Fork Twin Peaks, just south of Snowbird Resort, around 12:20 p.m.
Officials said two hikers were near the summit of the east peak when one of them was struck. The strike reportedly caused the hiker to fall. The victim, a 59-year-old man, died from his injuries at the scene.
A search and rescue team was sent out, along with the Utah Department of Public Safety's helicopter. They spotted the victim from the air, and then once the storm cleared, search and rescue personnel were able to reach the area and recover the victim's body.
The sheriff's office added that Snowbird Ski Patrol members helped to escort the other hiker off the mountain.
