AVERY COUNTY, N.C. — Park rangers in Avery County believe a tree was hit by lightning, injuring two.
Two people were taken to a hospital, a woman with serious injuries. Park rangers said lightning hit a hemlock tree. A park ranger said lightning may have traveled through the ground.
IMAGES: Tree struck by lightning, two injured
Park rangers said they believe the people may have been seeking shelter.
The incident happened near the Grandfather View Overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
"Very limited areas of cover once you get out of the metropolitan areas. So just hard for motorcyclist to find safe places sometimes," said Park Ranger Steve Dollinger.