Austrian Hiker Survives Lightning Strike In Sierra Nevada Mountains

NORDEN, Calif. (AP) -- Authorities in Northern California say an Austrian tourist who was hiking with his girlfriend and a friend in a remote wilderness area of the Sierra Nevada was rescued after surviving a lighting strike.

The California Highway Patrol Valley Air Operations says the man had major burns throughout his body and was struggling to walk when a helicopter crew rescued him Tuesday from the remote wilderness area of Tinkers Knob near Donner Summit.

The CHP says the hiker and his girlfriend are visiting from Austria and were hiking from Donner Summit to Squaw Valley with a friend from Fairfield, California.

It says his companions heard a large crack and saw a flash of light at the top of Tinkers Knob where the unidentified man was standing.

They called 911 for help.

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