Lightning strike injures 8 hikers at Devil's Head in Colorado

By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather staff writer

One person is in critical condition and seven others were injured following a lightning strike near a group of hikers at Devil's Head in Colorado.

The group was near the Devil's Head Lookout around 3 p.m. Sunday when the lightning strike hit close by, the Larkspur Fire Departmentand Douglas County Search and Rescue reported.

"At 3:30 p.m. Douglas County Search and Rescue (DCSAR) was paged out to Devil's Head with Jackson 105, Larkspur Fire, Castle Rock Fire, Forest Service Rangers, and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for eight climbers and a dog with three adults who had been struck by lightning. The climbing party was located at Chicken Head Ranch climbing area," DCSAR said on their Twitter profile. 

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DCSAR said the operation was challenging due to the area’s terrain. More than 30 people from multiple agencies were involved in rescue efforts.

"All parties were conscious and breathing. Seven of the climbers were able to walk out. The eighth climber was evacuated out via a litter carry with lightning strike injuries and transported to the hospital. It was a smooth multi-agency operation. We thank all who assisted," DCSAR said on their Twitter profile.

Among the eight hikers, five of them could walk and were treated for minor injuries, two hikers required assistance, one of which was transported to the hospital, the fire department said.

The eighth victim suffered critical injuries and had to be carried on a stretcher down the trail and was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

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A couple of the hikers had burns from the strike, and some of the patients also complained of having tingling sensations, according to ABC 7.