Australian man dies from suspected lightning strike while hiking at Grand Canyon

A 21-year-old Australian man was killed by what was believed to be a lightning strike while hiking a popular trial at Grand Canyon National Park. Jonathan Crowden, from Alfredton, had been hiking alone late on Sunday afternoon before his body was found about 1.6km down the South Kaibab Trail, said park spokeswoman Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski. Paramedics were sent to the area near Ooo-Aah Point at about 4pm after a witness called the canyon’s communication center to report that a man had possibly been struck by lightning. Rescue workers performed CPR on Crowden but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner are investigating the death.

He was hiking alone late on Sunday afternoon before his body was found about 1.6km down the South Kaibab Trail.

Park spokeswoman Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski.

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