BIG RAPIDS -- Four construction workers were seriously injured Wednesday after lighting struck a tree they were standing under at a Ferris State University project site, said Tim Ward, project manager for Clark Construction Co.The four men, found clustered under the tree by emergency crews, were transported to Mecosta County Medical Center. Two later were taken to a Grand Rapids hospital to be treated for their injuries.

All the injuries could be considered potentially life-threatening, fire officials said.

The men have not yet been identified and the extent of their injuries is not known, Ward said.

The four are employees of J. Ranck Electric of Mount Pleasant, subcontractors of Clark Construction Co., the group managing upgrades to the FSU infrastructure, he said. Heavy rains in Big Rapids around 9:45 a.m. had stopped work at the site, he said. The men, who were walking to their vehicles, hid under a group of pine trees and one of the trees was struck by lightning, fire officials said.

"There were some people in the building next door that called 911," Ward said. "But nobody actually saw what happened."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and we are hoping that they're OK," he said.

State safety inspectors are on the scene completing their investigation of the incident. The project, which began about three weeks ago, employs around 30 electricians, day laborers and operating engineers, Ward said.