ST. GEORGE, Utah -- A man is recovering at a Las Vegas hospital after he was struck by lightning on a golf course in St. George Friday.
Lona Trombley of the St. George Police Department said they were called at 1:50 p.m. about a lightning strike at Sunbrook Golf Course, 2366 Sunbrook Drive.
A 38-year-old man was struck by lightning, and while he was originally able to talk to responders, Trombley said his condition deteriorated and he lost consciousness.
Police performed CPR until paramedics arrived, and the man was taken to a local hospital via ground ambulance and was then flown to another hospital for further treatment.
Family friends have identified the victim of Justin Hofer, and they say he is currently recovering at burn unit at a Las Vegas hospital.
"He has been sedated and on a ventilator until this afternoon when they were able to remove the ventilator and reduce the sedative medications," Family friend Erik Foisy told Fox 13. "He is alert and responsive now, albeit a little confused as to what exactly has transpired. They have checked his internal organs for damage and so far everything seems to be okay."
Foisy says Hofer suffered burns over an estimated 30 percent of his body and they expect a long and difficult recovery. Loved ones have created a GoFundMe page to assist the family with medical expenses.
Trombley said weather conditions were overcast at the time, and a big cloud moved in quickly, bringing snow and then the lightning strike.
The man's current condition is unknown. Visit St. George News for more details and photos from the scene.
