Lightning kills woman hiking in northern Arizona

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. » Authorities say a lightning strike has killed a woman and injured several others who were taking shelter under a tree in the Mogollon (MUH’-ghi-ohn) Rim in northern Arizona.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office says 24-year-old Christine Garcia, of Orlando, Florida, was found unresponsive Saturday afternoon.

Sheriff’s spokesman Gerry Blair says crews received a call around 4:20 p.m. reporting a female hiker who wasn’t breathing.

It took emergency crews some time to reach the group’s remote location.

Upon their arrival, Garcia was pronounced dead.

Blair says the group was under a pine tree when lightning hit, knocking most of them to the ground.

One critically injured man was flown to a hospital. Three others were also hospitalized. Their conditions are unknown.

Blair says three others refused medical transport.