Two hunters were found dead in the Colorado wilderness after being struck by lightning, according to authorities. The Conejos County Coroner, Richard Martin, stated that Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko died instantly from the strike.
Martin shared his findings with several media outlets, explaining, “Kind of death is just instant.” He added in an interview with The Colorado Sun, “It’s like you’re alive, and now you’re not. Just that quick. Split second.” Both men were 25 years old and were discovered under a tree with slight burns on their bodies.
The two hunters had been reported missing to the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office on September 13. Their last contact with family members was on September 11 while they were elk hunting. Deputies noted that Porter was from Asheville, North Carolina, and Stasko was from Salt Lake City, Utah. The pair reportedly had a satellite device intended for communication; however, according to Porter’s aunt Lynne Runkle, it was not functioning at the time they went missing.
Authorities searched for days before locating the men. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable dangers present in remote wilderness areas.
