FRESNO, CA (KMJ) A Fresno man was killed Friday after being struck by lightning while hiking on John Muir Trail.
The victim has been identified as 37 year old Nicholas Torchia.
Witnesses say fast-moving thunderstorms moved into the area near Sallie Keys Cutoff and Torchia took cover by leaning against a large tree.
The tree was struck by lightning. Torchia fell unconscious. A doctor and nurse who were on the trail administered CPR for three hours but couldn’t save him.
Fresno County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue eventually recovered Torchia’s body from Blayne Meadows where fellow hikers had transported
The medical examiner has ruled his death to be electrocution caused by lightning.
