KDVR – The pathologist announced on Monday the cause of death for two fishermen who disappeared earlier this month, saying they were killed by a thunderbolt strike.
Experts say this is not an uncommon event in Colorado between outdoor entertainment activities. According to data from the national weather service, since 1980, Colorado has witnessed an average in two intermediates and 12 injuries annually due to lightning strikes.
“The lightning is really frightening,” said Del Atkins of the Alps Rescue team. “Anyone who participated in the mountainous rescue, search and rescue here in Colorado for a sufficient period that will eventually have to go to help someone who participated in a thunderbolt.”
The fishermen Andrew Porter and Ian Stasco were designed on Monday by the criminal investigative judge for killing them by a thunderbolt kick near Rio de Los Pinos. The corridor ranges from about 10,000 and 12,000 feet at height.
Atkins says that height and lightning are a dangerous mix. In fact, in fact, the best advice if you hit lightning while you are in a simple mountain.
“There is no safe place to hide during a storm of thunder and lightning when you are in the high country,” said Atkins. “Take off and escape.”
Atkins says that the best rescue process should not happen, so the setting is the key. It encourages reading expectations and even the ability to determine clouds.
“When the clouds begin to become longer than they are wide, this means that the atmosphere is unstable and a good opportunity for bathing and possibly thunder and lightning,” said Atkins.
He says the strikes are unpredictable, regardless of what you are doing.
“Whether you are climbing with an ax of ice on your package or you are a hunter with a gun on your shoulder, you will not attract lightning,” said Atkins.
So his best suggestion is to leave the area immediately.
“Whenever you get down, you can reduce your chances of confronting them,” said Atkins.
Atkins says that entering a metal car or a well -made building is in fact the only way to escape lightning. It also encourages people to make themselves easily visible to the rescue teams, perhaps in reflective clothes or a whistle, in case of help.