The hiker who died after an apparent lightning strike near American Fork Twin Peaks on Saturday has been identified as Craig Nelson, 59, according to the Salt L
The hiker who died after an apparent lightning strike near American Fork Twin Peaks on Saturday has been identified as Craig Nelson, 59, according to the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.
According to the sheriff's office, Nelson and his brother rode the Snowbird Tram on Saturday morning and planned to hike to American Fork Twin Peaks, a route they had completed many times before. The brothers noticed storm clouds moving into the area around 10:30 a.m. and stopped for lunch while monitoring the weather. Seeing no lightning, they decided to continue the hike. Around 11:40 a.m., they reached the Twin Peaks area.
Nelson's brother reached the east peak first and decided to turn back as conditions worsened. Nelson continued toward the summit, where he appeared to be struck by lightning and collapsed. His brother, who was about 20 feet away, returned toward the tram area to find someone who could call 911. Emergency dispatchers received the call shortly after noon.
Search and rescue crews, sheriff's deputies, Alta marshals, Snowbird Ski Patrol, Unified Fire Authority and the Utah Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau responded. A DPS helicopter transported search and rescue personnel to the scene, where crews recovered Nelson's body.
"Our hearts go out to Mr. Nelson's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said in a statement. "We respectfully ask the public and the media to honor the family's privacy. "The sheriff's office also reminded hikers that mountain weather can change quickly and encouraged people to monitor forecasts, leave exposed ridgelines if storms develop, and seek shelter as soon as possible.
A mudslide has forced the closure of Interstate 15 in both directions near Beaver. Utah Department of Transportation authorites said the slideThe body of a missing swimmer has been recovered from Tibble Fork Reservoir, authorities said.
The Utah County Sheriff's Office said a group was at the reservoirA flash flood emergency was declared Sunday afternoon for Beaver as a massive debris flow triggered by runoff from the Cottonwood Burn Scar moved down the canyoBeaver City announced earlier this week that it had launched an early warning system with two live cameras monitoring stream flows on the Beaver River Channel,Authorities have identified the fallen Provo firefighter as Captain Spencer Long, who was killed Saturday along with four of his family membersProvo Fire & Res
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