Thai couple killed by lightning strike at Grand Canyon

A recently married Thai couple were tragically killed after being struck by lightning at a scenic overlook in the United States.

Coconino County Sheriff’s officials announced Friday that the victims were 30-year-old Aram Kawewong and his 30-year-old wife Ratchaya Tantranon. Both had been students at Bangkok’s Chualongkorn University but were originally from Chiang-Mai.

Authorities say a lightning bolt struck Tuesday afternoon in the area of the LeFevre Scenic Outlook on state Route 89A in northern Arizona about some 8 miles north of Jacob Lake.

Sheriff’s officials released a photo of the scene that showed a broken rock on the wall of the overlook.

They said it’s believed the couple was standing on the rock seat beneath the wall when the lightning struck and they were pronounced dead at the scene, the Associated Press reported.

Correction: This article initially reported that the couple were 20-years-old. They were both 30-years-old as reported subsequently in the Chiangrai Bulletin.