A 24-year-old Durango man was struck and killed by lightning Sunday while mountain biking near Telluride, according to the San Miguel Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office identified the man as John Daniel Huisjen. Next of kin have been notified, authorities said.
According to a news release, Huisjen was mountain biking with his girlfriend on the East Fork Trail near the Lizard Head Wilderness, about 17 miles south of Telluride, when a lightning storm moved in just before noon.
Huisjen and his girlfriend, along with other groups of mountain bikers, sought shelter below tree line when Huisjen was struck.
Huisjen’s girlfriend ran to get help, finding an off-duty Telluride EMT, who was also in the area mountain biking with a friend, about a 100 yards away.
The EMT told the Sheriff’s Office he ran to Huisjen, who was “unresponsive, pulseless and breathless.” The EMT started CPR and sent his friend to call 911 and track down an AED.
Other bystanders also helped with CPR, but ultimately, efforts to revive Huisjen were unsuccessful. In a prepared statement, Sheriff Bill Masters thanks all those who responded and “did everything they could for this young man.”
“This is a horrible tragedy,” Masters said. “Our thoughts are with his family.”
Huisjen’s girlfriend was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, the release said.
According to his Facebook account, Huisjen studied at Fort Lewis College, and worked at the Environmental Center at Fort Lewis College, as well as the U.S. Forest Service as a forestry aid (fire).
jromeo@durangoherald.com
