Newlyweds hit by lightning on a mountain, killing bride

A newlywed couple from Denver were struck by lightning while hiking Mount Yale near Buena Vista, Colorado, on Friday, killing the bride.

The woman was identified as Kathleen Bartlett, 31, of Denver. The man was identified as Ryan Pocius, 32, also from Denver. He was described as being in critical condition.

The lightning strike happened on a Trail at 2 p.m. at an elevation of approximately 12,500 feet, which is about 2,000 feet below the summit.

A father and son from Colorado Springs were also struck in the area at approximately the same time, and they both suffered minor injuries but were able to walk to safety. Their names have not been released.

It took search crews more than two hours to reach the Denver man and woman. A Flight for Life helicopter was also delayed in getting to the scene to transport the man to the hospital due to stormy conditions.

Officials with the National Weather Service said there were only two lightning strikes that hit the ground on Mount Yale on Friday.

Source: CBS Denver
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