Minnesota hiker doesn’t remember being struck by lightning

Published 1:24 pm Thursday, August 5, 2010

Associated Press

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, Colo. — Officials at Rocky Mountain National Park say a Minnesota man hiking Longs Peak was struck by lightning but had no memory of being hit.

Thirty-one-year-old Brendan Baker of Princeton had numerous burn injuries when he was found by hikers Wednesday. He said he had hiked the mountain the day before and then spent an unplanned night in the backcountry. The park said he couldn’t recall how he had been injured but, based on his injuries, rescuers determined he had been struck by lightning.

Baker was able to hike down with assistance. On the way, he and a trail crew had to wait out an intense storm marked by more lightning along with hail and heavy rains. When the weather improved, a helicopter was able to fly him to a hospital.