Lightning strikes near hikers from a church youth group, seven people have to be taken to hospital

June 28 (UPI) – According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, seven members of a church youth group were hospitalized during a light rainstorm in Utah on Thursday afternoon.

The youth group was affiliated with the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints of Salina, Utah. The county sheriff’s office said in a statement on Facebook that the youth group was hiking south of Fremont Junction near Willow Springs when it started to rain.

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“A light rain shower in the area left puddles of water on the ground,” the sheriff’s office said. “During the hike, lightning struck the ground near the group. Approximately 50 youth felt the lightning strike.”

“Seven of the juveniles experienced health problems as a result of the electrocution. The seven juveniles were transported by ambulance from Emery and Sevier counties to Salina, where they were evaluated for their symptoms.”

The sheriff’s office said two of the teens, whose identities were not known, showed severe symptoms and were flown by rescue helicopter to Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi, Utah.

“The remaining juveniles were taken to Gunnison Hospital and Sevier Valley Hospital,” the sheriff’s office said. “All of the remaining juveniles have since been returned to Salina and released to their parents. There are currently no other medical issues.”

Utah experienced flash flooding and severe weather warnings throughout the week. Meteorologists said these storms were often accompanied by strong winds and hail.

In the United States, approximately 40 million lightning strikes the ground each year, but the odds of being struck by lightning are one in a million. Yet, approximately 20 people die each year in the United States from lightning strikes.