Lightning — Teller, Colorado

1998-08-08 · near Woodland Park, Teller, Colorado

Wider weather episode

Zach Powers, 4, and his 10-year-old brother Dustyn, took shelter under a tree when a storm hit during a family hike at the Rampart Reservoir. Dustyn held an umbrella and held his brother's hand. Lightning apparently struck the umbrella, travelled through Dustyn and then Zach. Zach was airlifted to Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead in the emergency room. Dustyn received burns to his hands.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5661546. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.