A 22-year-old NOLS student died on Tuesday, August 2, after being struck by lightning, according to a from the organization. The student was part of an outdoor educator course taking place near Enos Lake in Wyoming鈥檚 Bridger-Teton National Forest.
, the student was John 鈥淛ack鈥 Murphy of Boston, Massachusetts.
Murphy鈥檚 family released a statement to the聽Jackson Hole News&Guide聽confirming the loss.
鈥淲e are rocked by grief at having lost our dear Jack. Jack loved the outdoors and found peace in the physical exertion it takes to climb to a remote place like Enos Lake, so far from the city home he grew up in. We know in his last moments he was with others who shared his passion for the wilderness and helping others. And he was doing what he loved best鈥攂eing outdoors, in awe of the beauty of nature.鈥
Other group members performed CPR for more than an hour, but Murphy died on scene, according to NOLS. One other student was injured and airlifted to Jackson, Wyoming, by Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR). The surviving student is in stable condition.
This is the first lightning strike fatality in NOLS history. According to a t by NOLS, a total of 11 students and one instructor have passed away as a result of accidents during courses since 1966. The renowned outdoor education school operates courses around the world, with thousands of students each year joining backpacking, climbing, mountaineering, kayaking, and leadership programs, among others.
鈥淭his is a very sad day for NOLS, our students and our families,鈥 said NOLS president Terri Watson in a release. 鈥淲e extend our deepest condolences to the family of our student who passed away on this course and are focused on supporting their family through its difficult process.鈥
According to a release from NOLS, 鈥淣OLS is supporting the injured student, who remains hospitalized and in stable condition. The course stayed in the mountains overnight and will return from their journey on Wednesday, August 3.鈥 reported on Wednesday that two additional members of the group required an air evacuation from TCSAR due to 鈥渁cute emotional reaction.鈥
A spokesperson for Teton County search and rescue said the group had been in the wilderness for just three days of a scheduled 30-day trip.