ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK — The man killed in a lightning strike at Rocky Mountain National Park on Saturday was identified Sunday as a visitor from Nebraska.
Scottsbluff, Neb., resident Gregory Cardwell, 52, was killed when lightning struck a viewing area in the Rainbow Curve portion of the park about 3:30 p.m., the Coroner’s Office reported. Twelve other people were also hurt, according to police and Estes Park Medical Center.
A group of tourists was at an overlook point near the timberline when lightning struck, Estes Park Medical Center spokesperson Kerrie Hillsaid. One person was reportedly thrown over the side, suffering significant bumps and bruises.
Eight patients were at Estes Park Medical Center as of 6:15 p.m., and four other people were triaged at the scene.
Aside from Cardwell’s, the victims’ conditions were not known.
One group affected by the strike was a family from Phoenix, Ariz.
According to emergency radio traffic, heavy rain also have damaged some roads in the area.
On Friday, a separate strike killed one woman and injured seven other people. That strike occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on the Ute Crossing Trail, officials said. The people were all hiking together.
Four of the surviving victims were treated and released. The other three remained hospitalized, but were expected to recover.
The deceased woman was identified as Rebecca R. Teilhet, 42, from Yellow Springs, Ohio.