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Pictured: American tourist killed by lightning as girlfriend huddled next to body for hours waiting for help

An American backpacker was on the holiday of a lifetime with his girlfriend when he was killed by lightning while camping atop a mountain on the NSW north coast.

New York couple Michele Sega and Sam Beattie were camping on the summit of Mount Warning when lightning struck about 4:50am on Tuesday.

The strike surged through a tree which the couple’s tent was tied to before it passed through Mr Beattie's chair and down to his feet, killing him instantly.

Sam Beattie and Michele Sega were on the trip of their lifetime. Photo: Instagram
Sam Beattie and Michele Sega were on the trip of their lifetime. Photo: Instagram

Ms Segalla, 23, huddled and cried beside the body of Mr Beattie, 24, for three hours before help arrived.

Superintendent Wayne Starling described the incident as "extraordinary circumstances" and said Ms Segalla was very lucky to be alive.

Two passing hikers found the pair shortly after the strike and the teens rushed to help the man, giving him first aid for almost an hour before emergency services arrived.

Michele Sega (right) cried beside the body of her partner Sam Beattie (left) for hours before emergency services arrived. Photo: Instagram
Michele Sega (right) cried beside the body of her partner Sam Beattie (left) for hours before emergency services arrived. Photo: Instagram
Treacherous conditions meant a rescue helicopter couldn't be used to recover the body. Photo: 7 News
Treacherous conditions meant a rescue helicopter couldn't be used to recover the body. Photo: 7 News


Another hiker ran down the mountain and managed to receive a signal on his mobile phone when he was part-way down the 8.8km track, The Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

"(It was) traumatic circumstances for them but they did their best. They have got to be proud of the effort they made to save another human's life," Supt Starling said.

Ms Segalla was treated for neck and head injuries, including singed hair, at Murwillumbah hospital.

"It would have been horrific for the woman, she's very shaken," Supt Starling told reporters.

The strike surged through a tree which passed through Mr Beattie's chair and down to his feet, killing him instantly.Photo: Instagram
The strike surged through a tree which passed through Mr Beattie's chair and down to his feet, killing him instantly.Photo: Instagram

A team of about 25 rescue volunteers and police trekked to the top of the summit to rescue the pair, and it took them nearly two hours to carry the body down from the mountain.

Treacherous conditions meant a rescue helicopter couldn't be used to recover the body.

The New Yorkers were just eight weeks into their gap-year trip and had hired a van to travel around Australia.

The pair landed on the Gold Coast early last month and had visited Stradbroke Island, Point Lookout, Rainbow Beach and Byron Bay.

Mr Beattie and Ms Segalla had climbed the mountain to capture the next morning's sunrise.

The American couple were just eight weeks into their gap-year trip.  Photo: Facebook
The American couple were just eight weeks into their gap-year trip. Photo: Facebook

Locals say the area was hit by an incredible thunder and lightning storm during the night.

A Federal resident described the storm as "full on".

Another, from Girard's Hill, said they were mesmerised by the continuous lightning show that began as they were trying to get to sleep.

Hikers are urged to not climb the summit during thunderstorms.