A Utah man died after being struck by lightning just steps from the summit of the highest peak in Salt Lake County while hiking with his brother last week. The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident.
Craig Nelson, 59, and his brother began their trek Saturday morning, ascending part of the way up American Fork Twin Peaks via the Snowbird tram. The brothers had completed this hike together on multiple occasions previously. Around 10:30 a.m., the pair stopped for lunch and observed the weather beginning to change. According to Sheriff Rosie Rivera, the surviving brother reported that they had not seen any lightning and decided to continue their ascent.
Approximately one hour later, the surviving brother reached the east peak and turned to descend due to worsening weather conditions. Nelson continued toward the summit. The brother told investigators he witnessed Nelson collapse about 20 feet away and believed he had been struck by lightning.
The surviving brother proceeded back toward the Snowbird tram until he regained cell service and contacted 911 shortly after noon. A Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter located Nelson near the summit, but rescuers had to wait for the storm to pass before they could safely reach him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Snowbird Ski Patrol assisted in escorting the surviving brother off the mountain.
American Fork Twin Peaks has an elevation of 11,461 feet. Sheriff Rivera emphasized the unpredictable nature of mountain weather in Utah and urged hikers to check forecasts before setting out. She advised hikers to leave exposed ridgelines and summits immediately upon the onset of storms. The sheriff’s office also recommended hikers move to lower ground, avoid isolated trees and bodies of water, and, if unable to reach shelter, to crouch low with their feet together until the storm subsides.
The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office stated that the investigation remains open as the Utah medical examiner determines Nelson's official cause of death.