More than 140 treated for heat-related illness at outdoor airshow in Colorado

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV/Gray News) - More than 100 people were treated for heat-related illness at the Pikes Peak Regional Airshow on Saturday in Colorado.

The heat took its toll over the weekend, resulting Saturday in what Colorado Springs firefighters initially described as a “mass casualty” incident due to the sheer number of people treated for weather-related illness.

“Mass casualty incidents include injuries in the definition,” officials clarified. Luckily, officials told KKTV that no deaths have been reported.

They initially said more than 40-50 people were treated for heat-related illnesses, and at least 11 people were taken to local hospitals for more severe injuries, while others were moved indoors.

As the event went on, fire officials updated those numbers saying at least 100 people were treated. By Sunday, the number grew to over 140 treated in total.

They said when a large number of patients have injuries, it’s considered a mass casualty incident because of the need for a large number of resources and the possibility of overwhelming medical resources.

“The Colorado Springs Fire Department works and prepares very closely with the airport and event organizers when large events are held. Today, like every day, we had a plan in place in the event we needed to activate it,” said Colorado Springs Fire Chief Randy Royal. “All partners and resources at the airshow handled this incident swiftly and professionally. Their quick actions ensured people were taken care of and serious injuries were avoided. Tomorrow will be hot again and we ask everyone to please stay hydrated, be prepared for hot temperatures, and please stay safe.”

During the remainder of the event, officials with the Pikes Peak Airshow, CSFD and the Colorado Springs Airport reminded everyone to stay hydrated on social media.

A free water station was available at the center of the grounds near the medical station for the airshow audience.

One man attending the air show this weekend told KKTV he was frustrated at what he calls a lack of access to free water, saying he thought paying $4 for a bottle of water or $5 for a small cup of ice was too much. He said the stands ran out of water early Saturday.

“Four dollars for a little tiny bottle of water and then you get up there after standing in line: ‘Oh, we’re out this.’ Went through about four different lines,” Jake Burkhardt said.

Burkhardt says he went to the air show on Saturday to enjoy the planes flying overhead but was met with high heat levels and a lack of beverage options.

Joel VanDyke says this was frustrating for him too.

“At about 2 o’clock ... the vendors had run out of water, totally, and started running out of the Pepsi products,” VanDyke said.

When asked about Sportscorp’s next move in response to Saturday, spokesperson Lauren DeMarco said this:

“There was some heat. It was a little hot yesterday, and so after the wrap-up of day one from an operational standpoint, it was a really successful event,” DeMarco said.

DeMarco says they took Saturday seriously and were more proactive with the heat for the day Sunday. Springs firefighters say they also had additional crews at the site on Sunday.

“Once we found out the heat was really starting to kick in, we did have water trailers on site by middle of the day. Today, they’re here first thing in the morning. We have several hundred gallons of water available for people,” DeMarco said.

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