Claire M Roney, and Adrian Hedden

The Republic | azcentral.com

A 17-year-old hiker died and two other teens were injured after being struck by lightning on Humphreys Peak early Wednesday afternoon, according to the Coconino County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities say the teen and his two friends, ages 18 and 17, were from Tempe.

UPDATE:Family, friends mourn Corona Del Sol grad Wade Young killed by lightning on Humphreys Peak

The Sheriff's Office received a 911 call from the hikers near Humphreys Peak summit about 12:50 p.m., according to a department Facebook post. The hikers reported that at least one person was unresponsive, the post said.

Wiltenmuth said the severe and continuous lightning strikes on the peak led emergency personnel to stage themselves at a lodge in Flagstaff. Rescuers reached the hikers about 4 p.m., according to the sheriff's office, and transferred the injured teens to a nearby hospital by 5:30 p.m.

The 17-year-old was dead by the time emergency personnel arrived, according to Erika Wiltenmuth, a Coconino County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.

In a statement Wednesday night, Wiltenmuth said the injuries to the two survivors likely were caused by their proximity to the lightning strike. They were conscious and walking when taken to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment.

Wiltenmuth said medical updates on the patients were not available Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service advised that no outdoor area is safe when thunderstorms are nearby. Anyone caught outside during a lightning storm should immediately avoid elevated areas and should not seek shelter under trees or rocky cliffs.

The weather service said in a statement to avoid ponds and lakes, and other structures that could conduct electricity. The weather service also advised against lying flat on the ground to avoid being struck.