Crews Recover Two Bodies In Maroon Bells Wilderness

The bodies were recovered with the assistance of Flight for Life Colorado.

A lightning strike likely killed a man and a boy in their tent Tuesday night or early Wednesday near West Maroon Pass, though two other children camping with them were unhurt, authorities said. The Aspen Times reports that two juveniles associated with the campers were found walking toward the lot on their own and were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

But the Beards may have also been running a small stove in their tent, so the coroner will have to wait until toxicology tests look for the presence of carbon monoxide in their bodies.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office said an adult male and juvenile male were found unresponsive in their tent by other hikers Wednesday morning. Paramedics transported the bodies to Aspen Valley Hospital.

Mountain Rescue Aspen, Aspen Ambulance and Pitkin County deputies responded after the call. However, an official cause of death will be released by the Pitkin County Coroner’s Office once an autopsy has been performed.

The names, ages and hometowns of the individuals were not released Wednesday pending notification of next of kin, the statement says.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public to be weather-aware, especially in the backcountry, and take appropriate actions to be safe.