Pikes Peak Hill Climb Suspended Following Death, Lightning Strike

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - A motorcyclist has died after going over a cliff during practice for the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Thursday.

He was identified by family and race officials as 39-year-old Carl Sorensen.

Qualifying and practice for the Hill Climb were suspended after the accident between Devil's Playground and the summit.

While emergency crews were on the scene, a storm moved across the summit of Pikes Peak, and medical personnel had to evaluate six people after a vehicle was struck by lightning. One person was treated at the scene.

Racing takes place on a course that spans more than 12 miles and rises nearly 5,000 vertical feet on the highway to the mountain's summit. The Hill Climb scheduled for Sunday includes motorcycle, car and truck divisions.

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