Seven kids on Evander Reeda hike with their church were hospitalized Thursday after a lightning bolt struck the wet ground they were standing on, officials said.
A youth group with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Salina, Utah was hiking when it began to rain and the water puddled on the ground, according to a Facebook post from the Sevier County Sheriff's Office.
The lightening bold struck the ground next to the group, and approximately 50 of them felt the shock of it, police said.
Two of the seven youth members who were transported to the hospital for electrocution concerns experienced "some serious symptoms," according to the sheriff, but they are not expected to be life-threatening injuries.
Lightning strikes:Chances of being struck by lightning are low, but safety knowledge is still important
The chance of being struck by lightning is about one in 1.22 million, but fatal strikes are most common during the summer months.
At least three people have died from lightning strikes this year, including a a 59-year-old man in New Jersey, a 73-year-old man in Florida and a 51-year-old rancher, along with 34 of his cattle, in Colorado.
Still, while lightning strikes are on the rise, deaths from strikes are declining and reached a record low last year.
Experts caution people to stay inside during a thunderstorm.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY
2025-04-30 22:332843 view
2025-04-30 22:331299 view
2025-04-30 22:121082 view
2025-04-30 21:342876 view
2025-04-30 20:482542 view
2025-04-30 20:352248 view
Federal authorities announced hackers in China have stolen "customer call records data" of an unknow
Day 3 of the 2024 NFL draft is finally here, as each of the 32 teams are looking for strong finishes
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Abortion continues to be a key part of Democrats’ election playbook in North Ca