Lightning strikes 2 people at Dead Horse Point

The Neck Overlook on the West Rim Trail at Dead Horse Point State Park. Two people were treated for complications from a lightening strike on Thursday on the West Rim Trail. Photo: Dead Horse Point State Park

MOAB, Utah. — On Thursday evening, Grand County EMS reported that two individuals were struck by lightning on the West Rim Trail at Dead Horse Point State Park. Both patients were in “critical but stable condition.”

A Grand County Sheriff’s Office deputy and two ambulances from Canyonlands National Park responded to the scene. Upon arrival, bystanders were issuing initial aid to both patients. The patients were treated and transported to Moab Regional Hospital. They were later flown to a Salt Lake trauma center for further care.

The National Weather Service has reported 2 fatalities due to lightning in 2021. In the wilderness, without a safe location in a lightning storm, the National Weather Service recommends the following for lightning safety:

• Avoid open fields, the top of a hill, or a ridge top
• Stay away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects. If you are in a forest, stay near a lower stand of trees
• If you are in a group, spread out to avoid the current traveling between group members
• If you are camping in an open area, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low areas. Remember, a tent offers NO protection from lightning
• Stay away from water, wet items, such as ropes, and metal objects, such as fences and poles. Water and metal do not attract lightning but they are excellent conductors of electricity. The current from a lightning flash will easily travel for long distances