More than 100 air show spectators hit by heat-related illness, several sent to hospital
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) treated more than 100 people who suffered from heat-related illness at the Pike's Peak Regional Airshow.
Many people suffered from heat exhaustion and dehydration, and some showed signs of heat stroke, according to CSFD. Ten people were transported to the hospital and more than 100 came into the triage center to find relief from the heat. Some attendees even had IV fluids administered there.
Attendees leaving the airshow told KRDO13 they needed more shade and water. The Pueblo National Weather Service tells KRDO13 temperatures were reaching 96-degree highs today, but with little to no clouds in the sky and the sun radiating down on the concrete, it felt much hotter.
Event organizers confirmed the airshow ran out of free water, but they say vendors were still selling water bottles and spectators could fill up reusable waters at the medical tent.
All of these elements led many people watching to quickly become dehydrated, some attendees are veterans. One Navy veteran said he was excited to see the Blue Angels but ended up leaving a bit early because of the heat.
"It's a long ways to the parking lot and my wife and I are old," said attendee Tom Selders.
"We can call a mass casualty incident when we have something like this where we have multiple heat-related illnesses. That allows us to order more resources," said CSFD Public Information Officer Ashley Franco.
The City of Fountain sent ambulances to help out the CSFD's responding units. The CSFD specialty events team started to get overwhelmed with multiple people trying to get treated for heat-related illnesses around 1:30 p.m.
For Sunday officials ask that airshow attendees bring refillable water bottles, any form of shade such as an umbrella, hat, and sunscreen.
UPDATE AT 4:25 PM:
CSFD told an on-scene KRDO reporter that now 5 people are in the hospital fighting heat-related illness.
Original story:
The fire department released a statement on Twitter/X.
The Colorado Springs Fire Department is actively responding to a situation at the Pikes Peak Airshow where more than 40-50 people are experiencing heat-related illness. 3 people have been transported to local hospitals at this time while others are being moved indoors to cool down and are being monitored by fire personnel. Our operations team is working closely with the fire department and taking all necessary precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. The large number of people needing assistance has required additional resources to ensure everyone receives the necessary care.
CSFD PIO on Twitter/X
KRDO 13 is working to learn more about the situation. This story will be updated.
