A 15-year-old boy died after being struck by lightning on Mount Blue Sky in Colorado, with his family stating he spent his final moments trying to protect his younger brother. The incident occurred shortly after 1:20 p.m. on Sunday as Levi Strobel and four other hikers were near the summit, which is at an elevation of approximately 14,000 feet.
Strobel, from Erie, received lifesaving measures at the scene but could not be saved. His 13-year-old brother, Jace, was critically injured and airlifted to a Denver hospital. Two adult men in the group suffered minor injuries and were not hospitalized, according to the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office.
The Strobel family, in a statement, described Levi as courageous and selfless. "In his final moments, Levi showed the courage and selflessness that characterized his life, seeking to protect his younger brother, who was with him on the mountain," they said. "He was a brave and loving brother, and we will always remember the devotion he showed to those he loved."
Family friends provided an update on a GoFundMe page, stating that Jace Strobel had improved overnight and remained hopeful about his recovery.
This incident marks the sixth lightning-related fatality in the U.S. this year, with seven such deaths reported overall. Between 2006 and 2024, Colorado has recorded 25 lightning-related fatalities, placing it third nationally behind Florida and Texas. There were approximately 19 lightning reports in the vicinity of Mount Blue Sky around the time of the incident.
Safety experts advise individuals caught in thunderstorms to descend from high ground and avoid sheltering under isolated trees. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the risk of being struck by lightning in any given year is less than one in a million, and about 90% of victims survive lightning strikes.