Jane has raised over �1.25m for charity since diagnosis in 2000

The mother-of-three, who was told she had terminal cancer six years ago, had cycled up the 11,312ft (3,448m) Monarch Pass in the Colorado Rockies.

The 42-year-old, of Rothwell, Leeds, is on a trans-America charity bike ride.

She decided to go on a cable car journey to enjoy the mountain view when a severe storm struck and lightning twice hit the equipment.

"We had to descend via an off the road vehicle as the storm had frayed the cable," she told BBC News.

"Then our support vehicle was hit by falling rock from the storms. It caused a blow-out and we were exceedingly lucky to stay on the road and not [go] into the Arkansas River."

Mrs Tomlinson started her challenge in June with co-riders Ryan Bowd, 27, of Calgary, Canada; and 40-year-old Martyn Hollingworth, of Aviemore, in the Scottish Highlands.