Lightning hits at Yellowstone; 11 hurt, 1 boy seriously injured

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. – Eleven people were hurt Tuesday afternoon, including a 12-year-old boy who was seriously injured, when a lightning strike hit near a boardwalk where a crowd had gathered to watch an eruption of the Old Faithful Geyser, park officials said.

Two physicians and a nurse were among the visitors and resuscitated the young boy, who was flown to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, park spokeswoman Cheryl Matthews said.

The lightning struck the ground in front of the geyser but did not hit anyone directly, she said.

The strike was just a short distance from the Old Faithful Visitor Center.

The other 10 people were cared for at the scene and some of them were taken to the Old Faithful Clinic for additional care, Matthews said. Most were treated and released.

No names were released.

Matthews said a very intense mid-afternoon storm cell moved through the area, producing numerous other lightning strikes along with heavy rain and hail.