A man has died after being struck by lightning while hiking with his brother near the summit of American Fork Twin Peaks in Utah. Craig Nelson, 59, was killed on July 18 when a lightning strike hit him approximately 20 feet from his brother, Mark Nelson.
According to the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, the brothers were on a familiar trail when they noticed the weather changing. While stopped to eat, they assessed the conditions and did not see any lightning, deciding to continue their hike. As they approached the east peak around 11:45 a.m., Mark Nelson decided to turn back due to worsening weather.
Craig Nelson continued on but was struck by lightning shortly after. His brother made his way to a location with cell service and contacted emergency services around 12:01 p.m. Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, along with a Department of Public Safety helicopter, responded to the scene. Nelson was pronounced dead at the location after the storm cleared.
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Sheriff Rosie Rivera noted the unpredictable weather in Utah and advised hikers experiencing similar conditions to seek lower elevations, maintain a distance of at least 300 feet from bodies of water, and put down trekking poles.
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The National Lightning Safety Council lists Nelson as the fifth recorded lightning fatality in the United States this year. The investigation into the official cause of death remained open as of July 20, pending a determination by the medical examiner.
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Mark Nelson was safely escorted off the mountain by ski patrol following the incident. The Sheriff's Office extended condolences to Nelson's family and friends.