Nine injured in Old Faithful lightning strike

Posted 6/8/10

A 57-year-old man, Harlan Charles Idell Jr. of Leesburg, Fla., received CPR from bystanders after taking a direct hit from the bolt. Idell was conscious and breathing when rangers arrived. He was taken to the Old Faithful Clinic, then transported by …

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Nine injured in Old Faithful lightning strike

Posted

Nine visitors to Yellowstone National Park were injured — and one hospitalized — when they were struck by lightning at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, said a news release from the National Park Service.All were on the boardwalk or walkways around the Old Faithful Geyser when a small thunderstorm cell produced a single lightning bolt.

A 57-year-old man, Harlan Charles Idell Jr. of Leesburg, Fla., received CPR from bystanders after taking a direct hit from the bolt. Idell was conscious and breathing when rangers arrived. He was taken to the Old Faithful Clinic, then transported by an Air Idaho Rescue helicopter to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. Idell's condition was not available as of late Wednesday morning, but a park spokeswoman said she it was her understanding that he was doing “OK.”

An 18-year-old male complained of shortness of breath after the strike. He was taken by ambulance to the Old Faithful Clinic, where he was treated and released.

Six others had gathered under a building overhang to get out of the rain and hail and suffered minor injuries, complaining of shortness of breath, tingling or numbness. They all were taken to the Old Faithful Clinic, where they were treated and released.

A ninth individual walked into the Old Faithful Ranger Station and reported being struck by lightning, but did not seek medical attention.

Hundreds of visitors witnessed the incident as they were awaiting the next eruption of the famous geyser.

A similar lightning strike near the Old Faithful Geyser in June of 2005 injured 11, one seriously.

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