Latest news with #AlpineRescueTeam
The Independent
8 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Dramatic helicopter rescue saves two hikers hit by lightning near peak of Colorado mountain
Two hikers hit by lightning were rescued from a Colorado peak in dramatic and record-setting fashion. One man remained hospitalized in fair condition Friday while the other was treated at a hospital and released. The rescues happened late Thursday near the summit of Torreys Peak, a 14,300-foot mountain about 40 miles west of Denver. Torreys Peak is ranked variously as the 11th or 12th highest summit in Colorado and is less than 200 feet shorter than the state's highest mountain, Mount Elbert. The men from New York state, whose identities weren't released, had decided to summit the mountain during a road trip, Alpine Rescue Team public information officer Jake Smith said. They first called for help around 5 p.m. after getting off course on their way up a technical route. A different route doesn't require climbing gear or expertise. 'It doesn't sound like they had a ton of prior experience. I think it was probably just a lack of awareness,' said Smith, who was among the rescuers on the ground. Rescue officials guided the men back on course, and they made it to the summit. Minutes later, one of them called back to report they had been struck by lightning. About 30 rescuers went up the mountain while another team used a Colorado National Guard Blackhawk helicopter to get the more seriously injured man, who was non-responsive and in critical condition, off the peak using a hoist at 14,200 feet. It is believed to be the highest helicopter rescue in the state's history. He was flown down to an ambulance and taken to a local hospital, then to a Denver hospital with a burn unit, Smith said. The helicopter made another trip around midnight to fetch the less seriously hurt man by partially touching down on the mountain. The rescuers believe Colorado's previous record for a helicopter rescue was 13,700 feet. Such rescues are challenging because thin air causes helicopters to lose lifting ability the higher they fly; the Blackhawk has an altitude limit of about 19,000 feet. Hikers and climbers often prefer to ascend during the morning and avoid the Rocky Mountain high country on summer afternoons. Thunderstorms are common and can develop suddenly with dangerous lightning, hail and plummeting temperatures.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
2 New Yorkers struck by lightning while hiking on Colorado peak were saved in record-high state helicopter rescue
It was a striking view. Two New York men struck by lightning while hiking a Colorado peak were airlifted to safety in what is believed to be the highest-altitude helicopter rescue ever recorded in the state. The duo — who haven't been identified — called for help around 5 p.m. Thursday after getting off course while attempting to climb Torreys Peak, one of the state's highest summits at 14,300 feet. 'It didn't sound like they had a ton of experience,' Alpine Rescue Team spokesperson Jack Smith said, noting that the pair decided to summit the peak during a road trip through the Centennial State. 'I think it was probably just a lack of awareness.' Emergency crews had just steered the men back on course when they were zapped by lightning minutes later — leaving one hiker unresponsive and in critical condition. About 30 rescuers ascended the mountain while a Colorado National Guard Black Hawk chopper hoisted the injured man off the peak at 14,200 feet. He was then rushed to the burn unit of a Denver hospital, where he remains in fair condition. The helicopter returned around midnight to rescue the other wounded man, briefly touching down on the mountain before he was treated and released from a nearby hospital. Emergency personnel believe the daring rescue shattered the state's previous record of 13,700 feet — with such missions a challenge due to thinning air reducing a chopper's lift at higher altitudes. The Black Hawk's max ceiling is around 19,000 feet. Torreys Peak stands as the 11th-highest summit in Colorado. With Post wires
Arab Times
18 hours ago
- Climate
- Arab Times
Men hit by lightning plucked from mountain in record-high Colorado helicopter rescues
WASHINGTON, June 14, (AP): Rescuers fetched two men struck by lightning from a Colorado peak in what they believe were the highest helicopter rescues on record in this mountainous state. One man remained hospitalized in fair condition Friday while the other was treated at a hospital and released. 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. Torreys Peak is ranked variously as the 11th or 12th highest summit in Colorado and is less than 200 feet (60 meters) shorter than the state's highest mountain, Mount Elbert. The men from New York state, whose identities weren't released, had decided to summit the mountain during a road trip, Alpine Rescue Team public information officer Jake Smith said. They first called for help around 5 p.m. after getting off course on their way up a technical route. A different route doesn't require climbing gear or expertise. "It doesn't sound like they had a ton of prior experience. I think it was probably just a lack of awareness,' said Smith, who was among the rescuers on the ground. Rescue officials guided the men back on course, and they made it to the summit. Minutes later, one of them called back to report they had been struck by lightning. About 30 rescuers went up the mountain while another team used a Colorado National Guard Blackhawk helicopter to get the more seriously injured man, who was nonresponsive and in critical condition, off the peak using a hoist at 14,200 feet (4,330 meters). He was flown down to an ambulance and taken to a local hospital, then to a Denver hospital with a burn unit, Smith said. The helicopter made another trip around midnight to fetch the less seriously hurt man by partially touching down on the mountain. The rescuers believe Colorado's previous record for a helicopter rescue was 13,700 feet (4,175 meters). Such rescues are challenging because thin air causes helicopters to lose lifting ability the higher they fly; the Blackhawk has an altitude limit of about 19,000 feet (5,800 meters). Hikers and climbers often prefer to ascend during the morning and avoid the Rocky Mountain high country on summer afternoons. Thunderstorms are common and can develop suddenly with dangerous lightning, hail and plummeting temperatures.
New York Post
21 hours ago
- General
- New York Post
2 New Yorkers struck by lightning while hiking on Colorado peak were saved in record-high state helicopter rescue
It was a striking view. Two New York men struck by lightning while hiking a Colorado peak were airlifted to safety in what is believed to be the highest-altitude helicopter rescue ever recorded in the state. The duo — who haven't been identified — called for help around 5 p.m. Thursday after getting off course while attempting to climb Torreys Peak, one of the state's highest summits at 14,300 feet. Advertisement 'It didn't sound like they had a ton of experience,' Alpine Rescue Team spokesperson Jack Smith said, noting that the pair decided to summit the peak during a road trip through the Centennial State. 3 The men called for help while attempting to climb Torreys Peak in Colorado. AP 'I think it was probably just a lack of awareness.' Emergency crews had just steered the men back on course when they were zapped by lightning minutes later — leaving one hiker unresponsive and in critical condition. Advertisement About 30 rescuers ascended the mountain while a Colorado National Guard Black Hawk chopper hoisted the injured man off the peak at 14,200 feet. He was then rushed to the burn unit of a Denver hospital, where he remains in fair condition. 3 Alpine Rescue Team at the scene after two New Yorker men were struck by lightning on Torreys Peak. AP Advertisement 3 About 30 rescuers ascended the mountain to help the wounded men. AP The helicopter returned around midnight to rescue the other wounded man, briefly touching down on the mountain before he was treated and released from a nearby hospital. Emergency personnel believe the daring rescue shattered the state's previous record of 13,700 feet — with such missions a challenge due to thinning air reducing a chopper's lift at higher altitudes. The Black Hawk's max ceiling is around 19,000 feet. Advertisement Torreys Peak stands as the 11th-highest summit in Colorado. With Post wires
CBS News
a day ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Hiker struck by lightning, critically injured in Colorado high country
A hiker was critically injured in Colorado on Thursday when they were struck by lightning on the summit of Torrey's Peak. First responders said the rescue was a massive team effort. According to the Alpine Rescue Team, they received a page when two hikers went off route on Kelso Ridge just before 5 p.m. Mission leaders stayed on the phone with the hikers until they were able to get back to the route to the summit. They said the hikers made it to the summit around an hour later. Alpine Rescue Team Five minutes later, one of the hikers called 911 to report his partner had been struck by lightning and was unresponsive. Five ground teams went to help the hikers and requested a hoist to evacuate them. Around 11 p.m., two rescue teams from Vail Mountain Rescue Group were able to hoist the critical patient out. One of the ground teams helped the second hiker before they were flown from the summit at midnight. Alpine Rescue Team "This call illustrates how quickly situations change in Colorado's high country, and the importance of having your 10 essentials and being prepared for a lengthy evacuation," said Alpine Rescue. They said they're happy to help those having a hard time in the mountains, rain or shine.
