NEW: Lightning strike injures six people at mountain coaster ride attraction in Banner Elk

Six people were transported to the hospital after a lightning strike at a coaster attraction in neighboring Avery County, North Carolina.

According to WSOC in Charlotte and officials with the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster in Banner Elk, the patrons were underneath a tree on the ride’s property when the strike hit, causing the park to close for the remainder of the day and on Wednesday.

It was not clear if those injured were directly struck by lightning. The company said in a statement published on one of their social media channels that no one was on a coaster at the time of the weather advisory.

The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Avery County at 3:44 p.m. and it was scheduled to expire at 4:15 p.m. EST on Tuesday.

BREAKING: Lightning struck the property at the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster Tuesday afternoon, officials said https://t.co/K1H6NmD4i7

— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) July 21, 2020

(PHOTO: WRAC / Facebook / Public Page)