Fact Check: The rescues occurred near the summit of Torreys Peak, which stands at 14,300 feet (4,360 meters) and is located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Denver, Colorado.

Fact Check: "The rescues occurred near the summit of Torreys Peak, which stands at 14,300 feet (4,360 meters) and is located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Denver, Colorado."

What We Know

Torreys Peak is a prominent mountain in Colorado, recognized as one of the state's fourteeners, standing at an elevation of 14,300 feet (4,360 meters) (Wikipedia). It is situated approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Denver, making it a popular destination for hikers and climbers (ABC News). Recently, two hikers were struck by lightning near the summit of Torreys Peak, prompting what is believed to be one of the highest helicopter rescues on record in Colorado (Denver Post).

Analysis

The claim that the rescues occurred near the summit of Torreys Peak is supported by multiple reliable sources. The Denver Post reported that the rescues took place at approximately 14,200 feet, which is consistent with the peak's elevation of 14,300 feet. Additionally, the ABC News article confirms the location and height, emphasizing the challenging conditions that led to the rescue operation.

The sources used in this fact-check are credible, including news outlets like ABC News and the Denver Post, which are known for their journalistic standards. Wikipedia, while a useful starting point, is a secondary source and should be cross-referenced with primary reports for verification. The consistency across multiple reports lends credibility to the claim that the rescues occurred near the summit of Torreys Peak.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The statement that the rescues occurred near the summit of Torreys Peak, which stands at 14,300 feet (4,360 meters) and is located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Denver, Colorado, is accurate. The information is corroborated by multiple reliable sources, confirming both the mountain's height and its location relative to Denver.

Sources

1. Torreys Peak - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torreys_Peak
2. Colorado's highest helicopter rescue saves two on Torreys Peak https://www.11alive.com/article/news/nation-world/hiker-lightning-strike-rescue-colorado-mountain-helicopter-record/507-a83d049a-c802-405a-be80-20d3ffb22623
3. Men hit by lightning plucked from mountain in record-high helicopter rescues https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/men-hit-lightning-plucked-mountain-record-high-colorado-122832890
4. 2 out-of-state hikers struck by lightning on Colorado mountain https://www.denverpost.com/2025/06/15/hikers-struck-by-lightning-torreys-peak-colorado-rocky-mountains/
5. Dramatic helicopter rescue saves two hikers hit by lightning https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/dramatic-helicopter-rescue-saves-two-hikers-hit-by-lightning-near-peak-of-colorado-mountain/ar-AA1GIB6y
6. Men hit by lightning plucked from mountain in record-high helicopter rescues https://www.newstribune.com/news/2025/jun/14/men-hit-by-lightning-plucked-from-mountain-in/
7. Men hit by lightning plucked from mountain in record-high helicopter rescues https://www.wytv.com/strange-news/ap-strange-news/ap-men-hit-by-lightning-plucked-from-mountain-in-a-record-high-colorado-helicopter-rescues/
8. Record-high Colorado helicopter rescue: Men hit by lightning https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/men-hit-by-lightning-plucked-from-mountain-in-record-high-colorado-helicopter-rescues/