A tragic incident in the Colorado wilderness has resulted in the deaths of two 25-year-old elk hunters, Andrew Porter from Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko from Salt Lake City, Utah. The young men were killed instantly by a lightning bolt while hunting on the Rio de los Pinos trailhead, located in the remote Rio Grande National Forest. The information was confirmed by Conejos County Coroner Richard Martin, who conveyed the preliminary findings to the media.
The bodies of Porter and Stasko were discovered under a tree with what the coroner described as slight burns, akin to brief contact with a match. The coroner explained that a fatal lightning strike results in instantaneous death, leaving Martin certain about the cause even as full autopsy results, expected in eight weeks, are pending.
Their tragic fate was uncovered after a week-long search effort by Colorado search and rescue teams, who found them at around 11 a.m. on Thursday. The last known communication from the hunters was made by Porter, who shared his location via a satellite device with his fiancée, Bridget Murphy. The last signal came from his car near the trailhead on September 11.
Lynne Runkle, Porter’s aunt, speculated in a GoFundMe message that the hunters were unexpectedly caught in a storm. In a poignant Facebook tribute, Murphy expressed gratitude that the hunters were found, allowing them to rest in peace. She highlighted that the lightning strike was a sudden, uncontrollable act of nature, emphasizing that Porter was experienced and well-prepared.
Murphy expressed profound sorrow at the loss, conveying that though they were not legally married, she and Porter lived as partners. She spoke of their shared passions and conveyed reassurance that Porter and Stasko passed away while engaged in an activity they loved.
The incident underscores the unpredictable and often dangerous nature of outdoor adventures, even for seasoned outdoorsmen. As nature lovers pursue their passions, they are reminded of the respect and caution necessary when engaging with the natural world.