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Woman struck by lightning in Colorado remains in critical condition
Boulder County authorities have identified a woman hospitalized after a lightning strike in Superior, Colorado, on Thursday evening. She remains in critical condition with family at her bedside.
Rescue efforts and identification
Bystanders discovered the woman, estimated to be in her 20s or 30s, unresponsive near the strike site. They performed CPR until paramedics arrived. The lightning severely damaged her phone, initially complicating identification efforts. The Boulder County Sheriff's Office later confirmed her identity and thanked the public for assistance.
"We appreciate the community's assistance and support during this incident," the sheriff's office stated in a Saturday announcement.
Medical response and condition
When first responders reached the scene, the woman had no pulse and was not breathing. After sustained resuscitation, she regained a faint pulse and began breathing independently but remained unconscious. She was subsequently airlifted to a Denver hospital for advanced care.
Lightning strike risks in Colorado
The U.S. sees approximately 40 million ground lightning strikes annually, though the odds of being struck are less than one in a million, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Colorado experiences around 500,000 ground strikes per year, the National Weather Service (NWS) reports.
Based on data from 2006 to 2024, Colorado ranks third in the U.S. for lightning fatalities, trailing only Florida and Texas, per the Lightning Safety Council.
Safety context
Officials continue to emphasize caution during thunderstorms, particularly in high-risk regions like Colorado, where outdoor activities increase exposure.
