Tragic Deaths of Elk Hunters in Southern Colorado: Lightning Strike Suspected Cause
Two elk hunters were tragically found dead in southern Colorado after a search, with the cause of death believed to be a lightning strike, according to the fiancée of one of the victims. The hunters, Andrew Porter and another individual, were discovered by searchers in the South San Juan Wilderness. They were found clothed and with minimal gear between them, not having set up a camp. The men were dressed in camouflage clothing and were located close together, indicating they may have been struck by lightning while trying to seek shelter from an incoming storm. The authorities have not confirmed the exact cause of death, pending further investigation and autopsy results.
The hunters did not have a gun with them but one of them had a bow. They did not activate an emergency GPS beacon when they went missing, and it is unclear if the batteries in their location device were dead. The bodies of the hunters were left untouched in body bags until after the autopsy was performed. There were no apparent signs of foul play or injuries on their bodies, leading investigators to believe that the cause of death was likely due to a natural event, such as a lightning strike. The search and rescue teams located the bodies of the hunters two miles above the Rio de Los Pinos trail, bringing an end to the extensive search efforts.
The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can be encountered in the wilderness, even for experienced outdoorsmen like Andrew Porter. The sudden loss of the hunters has left their loved ones and the community in mourning. As more details emerge from the investigation, the circumstances surrounding their deaths will hopefully provide some closure to their families and friends. The authorities continue to investigate the incident to determine the exact cause of death and any contributing factors that may have led to this unfortunate outcome.