Colorado National Guard Sets Record in Highest-Altitude Helicopter Rescue on Torreys Peak

Two men from New York were struck by lightning while hiking Torreys Peak, one of Colorado's highest mountains, during a road trip. The hikers, who lacked significant experience, had gotten off-route before reaching the summit, where they were then struck by lightning, leaving one unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency responders, including about 30 ground personnel and a Colorado National Guard Black Hawk helicopter, conducted what is believed to be the highest-altitude helicopter rescue in Colorado's history, evacuating the injured man at around 14,200 feet. The injured hiker was taken to a burn unit in Denver and remains in fair condition, while the second hiker was rescued later and treated at a local hospital before release. The rescue surpassed the previous state record of 13,700 feet and demonstrated the challenges of high-altitude helicopter operations due to thinning air. Torreys Peak stands as the 11th or 12th highest summit in Colorado, just below the state's tallest mountain, Mount Elbert.