From the Billings Gazette:
Nine visitors to Yellowstone National Park were injured late Tuesday afternoon when they were struck by lightning. All were on the boardwalk or on walkways around Old Faithful Geyser when a small thunderstorm produced a single lightning bolt.
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 the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. His current condition was not available.
An 18-year-old male victim 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 Old Faithful Lodge under an overhang to get out of the rain and hail. 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. The person did not seek medical attention.
Hundreds of visitors witnessed the incident as they were awaiting the next eruption of the geyser.
Here are some file photos of the Old Faithful area:
If you have been to Old Faithful you may remember that the boardwalk around the geyser is constructed of plastic lumber. I wonder how the electrical conductivity of the plastic compares to wood? But it was raining at the time of the lightning strike, so the water on the plastic may have affected the vulnerability of the victims that were standing on the boardwalk.
