Grand Canyon Tourist Hit by Deadly Lightning
A tourist was killed Thursday after being struck by lightning at the Grand Canyon National Park. Emergency responders unsuccessfully attempted to revive the 64-year-old German woman by using CPR.
Five minor injuries were reported among people near where the lightning hit the ground. Those injured were transported to Grand Canyon’s Emergency Operations Center where basic first aid was administered.
The victim was a member of a visiting tour group and collapsed after having been hit by the lightning. The tour group was on the canyon’s South Rim when the bolt of electricity struck at 1:45 P.M. yesterday, the Northern Arizona News reports.
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The woman’s name has not been released, and park rangers believe she suffered a heart attack.
More than 4.5 million people visit the Grand Canyon annually, and it is one of America’s biggest tourist attractions.
The Grand Canyon area experiences a variety of weather conditions, with the elevation spanning from around 2000 feet to over 8000 feet, according to the National Park’s official website. The varying elevations create even more variable climates. Thunderstorms frequently occur through July, August, and early September, and pose the threat of torrential rains, flash floods, and lightning.
The National Park Service reports that between 1997 and 2000, lightning struck areas of Grand Canyon National Park an average of 26,073 times.
Hazardous weather warnings often take visitors of the Grand Canyon by surprise. Authorities reminded visitors Friday that if the sound of thunder follows the lightning within 30 seconds or less, they should immediately seek shelter in a building or vehicle, or proceed to the nearest bus stop for a shuttle.
