[Geysers] Fw: (News Release) Nine Injured In Old Faithful Lightning Strike

[Lee_Whittlesey at nps.gov]

----- Forwarded by Lee Whittlesey/YELL/NPS on 06/03/2010 07:31 AM -----
                                                                           
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             PM                                                            
                                                                   Subject 
                                       (News Release) Nine Injured In Old  
                                       Faithful Lightning Strike           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           



National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2010                   10-042
Al Nash (307) 344-2015

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE
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Nine Injured In Old Faithful Lightning Strike

Nine visitors to Yellowstone National Park were injured late Tuesday
afternoon when they were struck by lightning.

All were one the boardwalk or on walkways around Old Faithful Geyser when a
small thunderstorm cell produced a single lightning bolt.

Park staff immediately converged on the scene of the strike and began to
triage the injured.

Two people were on the asphalt walkway between the Old Faithful Lodge and
the boardwalk which circles the geyser.

Bystanders had started CPR on a 57 year old man, who was conscious and
breathing when rangers arrived.  He was taken to the Old Faithful Clinic,
and then transported by an Air Idaho Rescue helicopter to and admitted to
the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.  His current
condition was not available as of late Wednesday morning.

An 18 year old male patient complained of shortness of breath.  He was also
taken by ambulance to the Old Faithful Clinic, where we has treated and
released.

Six others with minor injuries had gathered next to the building under an
overhang to get out of the rain and hail which was coming down at the time.
They had various complaints of shortness of breath, tingling, or numbness.
They were all 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.  This person did not seek medical attention.

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

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