Lightning Strike Killed Boulder Trail Hiker

A hiker died Sunday afternoon (July 14) after he was struck by lightning on a Boulder trail, according to a press release from the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.

The 36-year-old man was hiking with his 37-year-old wife —  who was also injured but survived the incident. They were hiking the Bear Creek Trail.

Rescuers found the couple about a quarter mile up the trail after receiving a 911 call from a passing hiker. They performed CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) in an attempt to revive the man, who was unconscious and not breathing.

The man was temporarily revived and transported to a hospital via helicopter. He later died at the hospital.

Authorities said the lightning struck the man directly in his upper body. His wife was not directly hit, but was still injured by electrical currents the lighting caused after hitting her husband.

Rescuers found her breathing and alert at the scene. She too was taken to a local hospital to treat her injuries.

Boulder County Sheriff's Office, Rocky Mountain Fire Protection District, Rocky Mountain Rescue, Boulder County Parks & Open Space, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, AMR Ambulance, and the Boulder Fire Department were all involved in the two-hour rescue.

The Boulder County Coroner's Office will reveal the man's identity and official cause of death once his family has been notified.