LIZARD HEAD WILDERNESS, Colo. — A mountain biker was killed after he was struck by lightning in southwestern Colorado Sunday afternoon.
It happened just before noon in the East Fork Trail near Telluride, according to San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office.
The mountain biker, identified as John Daniel Huisjen of Durango, Colo., was reportedly biking with this girlfriend when the accident occurred, according to officials.
The woman survived and was treated with and taken to a hospital with what officials believe are non-life threatening injuries.
An off-duty Telluride EMT told deputies he was biking with a friend on the East Fork Trail near the Lizard Head Wilderness when a storm moved in with multiple lightning strikes in the immediate area, officials said. They, as well as others in the area attempted to take shelter below tree line.
The off-duty deputy told investigators they were about 100 yards away when the woman ran to them asking for help stating that her boyfriend had been struck by lightning.
First responders tried to save the mountain biker’s life, but were unsuccessful.