Fact Check: The rescue operation for the two men struck by lightning involved approximately 30 rescuers and took place on September 28, 2023.

Fact Check: "The rescue operation for the two men struck by lightning involved approximately 30 rescuers and took place on September 28, 2023."

What We Know

On September 28, 2023, two men were struck by lightning while hiking in Colorado. Reports indicate that the rescue operation involved around 30 rescuers, including teams from local agencies and the Colorado National Guard, who utilized a Blackhawk helicopter for the operation. This incident is noted as potentially the highest helicopter rescue on record in Colorado (source-5, source-6).

Analysis

The claim that approximately 30 rescuers were involved in the lightning strike rescue operation is supported by multiple news sources. For instance, a report from WTNH states that around 30 rescuers participated in the operation, confirming the scale of the rescue effort (source-5). Additionally, the U.S. News article corroborates this detail, emphasizing the significant number of personnel involved in the rescue (source-6).

However, the specific date of the incident, September 28, 2023, is not universally confirmed across all sources. While the reports consistently discuss the rescue and its details, they do not all explicitly state the date, which raises questions about the accuracy of this particular aspect of the claim.

The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident appears to be high, as they are established news outlets that typically adhere to journalistic standards. However, the lack of a direct official statement or report from a local authority or rescue agency leaves some ambiguity regarding the exact details of the event.

Conclusion

Needs Research: While the claim regarding the number of rescuers involved in the lightning strike rescue operation is supported by credible sources, the specific date of September 28, 2023, requires further verification. The consistency of the rescue details across multiple reports is promising, but the absence of a definitive source confirming the date leads to uncertainty. Additional investigation into official reports or statements from the rescue agencies involved would be necessary to fully validate the claim.

Sources

1. Man, 18, dies in Green Valley motorcycle crash
2. News Flash • Muscatine, IA • CivicEngage
3. Rescue of Bat 21 Bravo
4. List of Rescue 911 episodes
5. Men hit by lightning plucked from mountain in record-high ...
6. Men Hit by Lightning Plucked From Mountain in Record ...
7. Dramatic helicopter rescue saves two hikers hit by lightning near peak …
8. NPS Incident Reports - Rocky Mountain National Park