PHOENIX — One of the men struck by lightning last week in Flagstaff is in the process of making a full recovery after a near-death experience atop Arizona’s highest peak.
Scott Courtright was one of two lightning strike victims hiking Humphreys Peak on Oct. 22 and told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos on Wednesday that he’s “doing great.”
“I felt absolutely nothing,” Courtright said regarding the moments after being struck. “I simply woke up on the ground paralyzed. … I was unconscious for about five minutes at least … and I had no idea what was going on.”
Courtright emphasized that there was no warning before he or the other victim — a man from Canada who he identified as “John” — were struck by the bolts of lightning.
Humphreys Peak is the highest point in the Grand Canyon State at 12,633 feet.
What happened after Courtright was struck by lightning on Humphreys Peak?
The Flagstaff man explained that the lighting struck him on his right forearm then moved up to his shoulder, through his right armpit, down the right side of his torso, across his torso, down his left leg and blew out by his left pinky toe and right heel.
“I remember the first thing I wanted to do was raise my right arm for whatever reason,” Courtright said. “And (it was) the only thing that I could do and to me it was like a limp noodle and dead. I thought I’d broken my arm in half at the forearm.”
In addition, Courtright said when he woke up after the strike, he looked over his feet and saw John laying about 10 feet away from him. He noted that when John regained consciousness later, he was very confused and asking questions about what was going on and if anyone was there.
Courtright explained that it took him five minutes to get his phone out of his pocket and another five minutes to get a call through to 911.
“I contacted 911 at 9:47 a.m. … and evidently I was on the phone with them for nine minutes. I thought it was for 30 seconds,” Courtright said. “I didn’t know what information got through to them, but that was one of the only calls I got out that day on my phone. I then texted my wife that I’d been struck by lightning.”
His wife then called 911 as well, which Courtright noted was good as dispatchers were confused by his initial report but still moved to get help.
It took 30 to 45 minutes before Courtright was able to move after the lighting strike and longer for John. According to Courtright, the men then had to shelter on top of Humphreys Peak for around three hours.
“It was cold. The clouds never broke,” Courtright said. “It was snowing and raining on us the whole time and I believe it was 40 to 50 mile an hour winds.”
According to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, the duo attempted to make it down the mountain together after that but had to separate due to the difference in the severity of their injuries.
CCSO said that the rescue operation was completed by 6 p.m. and both men went to the hospital.
What were the lightning strike victims’ injuries?
Courtright said that John’s injuries were more severe than his as John was struck by the “main bolt.”
While Courtright had some burns on his wrist, John had severe burns on his neck, shoulder and stomach.
“The force of the lightning strike, it actually disintegrated most of his clothing,” Courtright said. “It was just amazing that he survived.”
In addition, Courtright noted that he must have been kneeling by his backpack when he was struck because he had no fall injuries, but John had a large cut on the back of his head from falling and hitting it on a rock.
As far as psychologically, Courtright said he is feeling “pretty good” but will probably talk to someone about the experience.
“There’s a lot of things that continuously replay through that day of events,” Courtright said.
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