Lightning strikes kill 17-year-old in northern Arizona

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A 17-year-old boy killed by lightning on Arizona’s highest peak was hiking in an area that experienced over 100 strikes within a one-hour period and is known for its extreme weather, authorities said.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office identified the boy as Wade Young of Tempe, Arizona.

Young, who just graduated from high school, was struck by lightning close to the summit of Humphreys Peak near Flagstaff. The boy and two others were hiking the peak when a strong monsoon storm rolled in. The group called 911 dispatchers shortly before 1 p.m. seeking help, but they weren’t rescued for hours because of weather conditions. The two survivors, ages 17 and 18, are recuperating.

Young was described as lively and active teenager by friends and family on social media posts.

Cory Mottice, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said there were 106 on-the-ground and 393 cloud-to-cloud lightning strikes between noon and 1 p.m. in that area on Wednesday and that the intensity of the storm began waning after that time period. The monsoon season is when thunderstorms are most prevalent.

Still, emergency responders trying to reach the hikers were staved off by nearby lightning that made it unsafe for them to proceed, sheriff’s spokeswoman Erika Wiltenmuth said. Rescuers were able to reach the hikers around 4 p.m.