Man killed by lightning strike near Telluride

A 24-year-old man was struck by lightning and killed on a trail near Telluride Sunday.

According to the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office, the man was mountain biking with his girlfriend in the Lizard Head Wilderness area when he was struck.

An off-duty EMT was in the area and says the victim’s girlfriend ran up to his group saying her boyfriend was struck by lightning. The EMT started CPR and sent his friend to call 911. Various emergency crews responded, but the man died.

The San Miguel County Coroner identified the victim as John Daniel Huisjen of Durango.

Huisjen’s girlfriend was taken to the hospital with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.