Lightning Injures Eight Hikers on Mt. Bierstadt
Three hikers were taken to local hospitals.
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Lightning strikes injured eight hikers on Colorado’s Mt. Bierstadt Sunday after storms developed on the peak during a busy hiking day. Three of the victims were transported to local hospitals for observation.
ABC News reports that storms developed around 11 a.m. Sunday morning and peaked 30 minutes later with as many as 16 ground strikes. Dozens of hikers were above treeline at the time of the strikes and reported feeling electricity in the ground and in the air.
Crews from the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies assisted with hiker evacuations. All of the victims were able to leave the mountain under their own power.
14,065-foot Mt. Bierstadt is a popular hiking destination in Colorado due to its proximity to Denver and its relative lack of technical terrain. Hikers attempting to climb any of the state’s “14ers” are advised to start early and be off the mountain by mid-morning in order to minimize exposure to lightning.
Read More: ABC News