Rescuers Evacuate Men Struck by Lightning on the Mountain

• Two tourists from New York were struck by lightning while ascending Torreys Peak.
• The rescue operations are considered record-high in Colorado, utilizing a Blackhawk helicopter.
• One man was hospitalized, while the other received treatment and was discharged.

This was reported by Associated Press, ABC News.

Incident on Torreys Peak

Rescuers extracted two men who were struck by lightning from a mountain in Colorado, and it is believed to be the highest helicopter rescue operation in the state's history.

One man remains hospitalized in stable condition, while the other was discharged from the hospital after treatment.

The rescue efforts took place Thursday evening near the summit of Torreys Peak, which stands at 4,300 meters (14,300 feet) and is located about 64 kilometers west of Denver. Torreys Peak ranks 11th-12th in height in Colorado and is less than 60 meters lower than the state's highest mountain, Mount Elbert.

The men from New York, whose names have not been disclosed, decided to climb the mountain during their trip. They first called for help around 5 PM after they strayed off course on a technical route.

According to rescue team spokesperson Jake Smith, the other route does not require climbing gear or skills. "It seems they didn’t have much experience. It was probably just a lack of awareness," Smith noted.

Rescuers directed the men back onto the correct route, and they reached the summit. A few minutes later, one of them called again, reporting that they had been struck by lightning.

About 30 rescuers ascended the mountain, while another team used a Colorado National Guard Blackhawk helicopter to evacuate a seriously injured man who was unconscious from an altitude of 4,330 meters (14,200 feet).

He was transported to an ambulance and then to a hospital in Denver, which has a burn center. The helicopter made another trip at midnight to pick up the less seriously injured man, partially landing on the mountain.

Rescuers believe that the previous record for helicopter rescue operations in Colorado was 4,175 meters (13,700 feet). Such rescues are challenging because helicopters lose lift power at high altitudes due to thin air; the Blackhawk has a height limitation of about 5,800 meters (19,000 feet).

Hikers and climbers typically prefer to ascend in the morning and try to avoid high-altitude areas of the Rockies in the summer after noon. Thunderstorms are common and can occur suddenly, accompanied by dangerous lightning, hail, and a sharp drop in temperature.

Tags: USA