In a tragic turn of events, a Utah man lost his life last week after being struck by lightning while hiking with his brother. The incident occurred just steps away from reaching the summit of Salt Lake County’s tallest peak, authorities have confirmed.
On the morning of their adventure, 59-year-old Craig Nelson and his brother set off toward the summit of the east peak of American Fork Twin Peaks. Utilizing the convenience of the Snowbird tram, they ascended partway up before embarking on their hike—a journey the brothers had undertaken many times before, shared Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera during a Monday press conference.
As the clock approached 10:30 a.m., the brothers paused to enjoy lunch, observing as the weather conditions gradually shifted. According to the surviving brother’s account to investigators, they continued their hike after determining no lightning was visible at the time.
Craig Nelson’s unfortunate death occurred near the summit of the east peak of American Fork Twin Peaks in Salt Lake County, Utah, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, reportedly due to a lightning strike. (Facebook/Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue)
Sheriff Rivera remarked on Utah’s notoriously capricious weather, emphasizing its frequent unpredictability while discussing the unfortunate incident.
About an hour later, the brother reached the east peak first and turned around to head back down after noticing the weather had worsened, Rivera said. Nelson continued toward the summit. The brother told investigators that he saw Nelson suddenly collapse about 20 feet away from him and believed he had been struck by lightning.
Rescuers responded to a report of a person struck by lightning near the summit of the east peak of American Fork Twin Peaks in Salt Lake County, Utah, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Facebook/Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue)
The brother rushed back toward the Snowbird tram until he regained cellphone service and called 911 shortly after noon.
A Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter quickly located Nelson near the summit, but rescuers had to wait for the storm to move through before they could safely reach him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Snowbird Ski Patrol later helped escort Nelson’s brother off the mountain, according to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team.
A trail leading to the barren rocky slopes of the glacial bowl beneath American Fork Twin Peaks. (iStock)
American Fork Twin Peaks rises to 11,461 feet and is the highest point in Salt Lake County. Rivera emphasized that mountain weather can change with little warning and urged hikers to check the forecast before heading out. She said hikers should leave exposed ridgelines and summits as soon as storms begin moving in.
The sheriff’s office also urged hikers to move to lower ground, stay away from isolated trees and bodies of water, and, if they cannot reach shelter, crouch low with their feet together until the storm passes.
The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains open while the Utah medical examiner determines Nelson’s official cause of death.