7 youth group members hospitalized after lightning strike in Utah

Seven members of a Utah youth group were taken to the hospital after a lightning strike hit the ground next to where they were hiking Thursday, officials said.

A Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints youth group from Salina was hiking in the eastern part of Sevier County when it began to rain around 1:45 p.m., the Sevier County Sheriff's Office said.

The sheriff’s office said 50 of the children felt "the shock of the lightning" that hit the ground near them as rainwater pooled around them.

Seven of the youth group members had "some medical concerns due to electrocution," the sheriff’s office said, and were taken by ambulance to Salina hospitals, where they were treated for their injuries.

Two of the children had "some serious symptoms" and were flown to Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi, the sheriff’s office said. It did not provide more information about their symptoms.

The five others were taken to two other hospitals, officials said.

None of the children taken to hospitals are expected to have life-threatening injuries, the sheriff’s office said.

The rest of the group was accounted for and taken back to Salina, where they were reunited with their parents, the sheriff's office said. None of those children reported medical issues.

Sevier County is 167 miles south of Salt Lake City.

Rebecca Cohen

Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.