Lightning struck two visitors to the Horseshoe Bend overlook in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Glen Canyon is a National Park Service (NPS)-managed site that spans across the Utah/Arizona border. In a press release, NPS says the incident happened on Monday at 4 PM. According to the Page Police Department, a “severe storm was dropping heavy rain in the area and many people got caught in the rainstorm at Horseshoe Bend.”
The two victims were standing near the rim when the lightning struck. Both are young women who were visiting Glen Canyon from other countries—one 22 years old, one 23 years old, one from the Netherlands, and one from Australia.
Emergency responders provided onsite care and flew both women to a local hospital via helicopter. There is no additional information about their conditions at this time.
NPS advises visitors to be cautious when visiting exposed outdoor areas and be aware of changing weather conditions.
“Thunderstorms are most frequent and severe during the monsoon season, which is typically mid-June through September in Arizona and July through September in Utah,” NPS says in its press release. If you hear thunder, NPS says you should seek shelter in a vehicle or building.
See footage from the emergency medical evacuations at Horseshoe Bend after lightening struck two women here: