Record-High Helicopter Rescues in Colorado Save Lightning-Struck Men
Two men struck by lightning on Torreys Peak in Colorado were rescued in record-high helicopter operations, with one hospitalized and the other treated on-site.
Overview
- Two men were struck by lightning while hiking on Torreys Peak in Colorado.
- Rescue operations involved a Colorado National Guard Blackhawk helicopter and approximately 30 rescuers.
- One man was hospitalized in fair condition, while the other was treated and released.
- The rescues set a record for helicopter operations in Colorado due to the challenging conditions.
- The men had reportedly gotten off course during their hike, leading to the incident.
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Analysis
Emphasizes record-high helicopter rescues in Colorado for two men struck by lightning.
"The rescues happened late Thursday near the summit of Torreys Peak, a 14,300-foot (4,360-meter) mountain about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Denver."
ABC News"The rescues happened late Thursday near the summit of Torreys Peak, a 14,300-foot (4,360-meter) mountain about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Denver."
Associated PressArticles (3)
FAQ
The rescue required a record-high helicopter operation because the men were stranded at 14,200 feet (4,330 meters) on Torreys Peak, surpassing the previous record for a helicopter rescue in Colorado, which was 13,700 feet (4,175 meters). Such high-altitude operations are challenging due to thin air that reduces helicopter lifting capacity.
One man was nonresponsive and in critical condition, requiring urgent evacuation by helicopter and hospitalization in a Denver burn unit. The other man was less seriously injured, treated on-site, and released.
About 30 local rescuers were deployed on the mountain, while another team from the Colorado National Guard operated a Blackhawk helicopter for hoist extraction. The joint operation involved military helicopter capabilities and civilian alpine rescue personnel working together to save lives.
Helicopter rescues are difficult at high altitudes in Colorado because the thinner air reduces the lifting capacity of helicopters, making operations riskier and more challenging. Helicopters like the Blackhawk have altitude limits and must operate carefully to ensure safety.
Experts recommend that hikers and climbers ascend mountains during the morning and avoid the Rocky Mountain high country on summer afternoons when thunderstorms, dangerous lightning, hail, and plummeting temperatures are common.
History
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