Fact Check: Rescue officials believe Colorado's previous record for a helicopter rescue was 13,700 feet (4,175 meters).

Fact Check: "Rescue officials believe Colorado's previous record for a helicopter rescue was 13,700 feet (4,175 meters)."

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that two men were rescued from Torreys Peak in Colorado after being struck by lightning. This incident is believed to have involved the highest helicopter rescues on record in the state. The rescue operation utilized a Colorado National Guard Blackhawk helicopter, which successfully retrieved one of the men at an altitude of 14,200 feet (4,330 meters) and the other at a lower elevation later on. According to rescue officials, the previous record for a helicopter rescue in Colorado was approximately 13,700 feet (4,175 meters) (Denver7, ABC News, Colorado Sun).

Analysis

The claim that Colorado's previous record for a helicopter rescue was 13,700 feet is corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including news agencies like the Associated Press and local news outlets. These reports consistently mention that the rescuers believe this altitude was the previous record before the recent rescue operation at Torreys Peak.

The reliability of these sources is generally high. The Associated Press is known for its rigorous journalistic standards and is a trusted news cooperative. Local news outlets like Denver7 and the Colorado Sun also maintain credibility in reporting local events and emergencies. The consistency across these reports lends further credence to the claim that the previous record was indeed 13,700 feet (Denver7, ABC News, Colorado Sun).

Moreover, the context provided in these articles about the challenges of high-altitude rescues—such as the limitations of helicopter lifting capacity due to thin air—adds to the understanding of why such records are significant and difficult to achieve (Denver7, ABC News).

Conclusion

The claim that "Colorado's previous record for a helicopter rescue was 13,700 feet (4,175 meters)" is True. This assertion is supported by multiple reliable sources that report on the recent rescue operation and the context surrounding helicopter rescues in high-altitude environments.

Fact Check: Rescue officials believe Colorado's previous record for a helicopter rescue was 13,700 feet (4,175 meters).