Extreme heat at a Colorado airshow led to at least 10 people being hospitalized and about 100 needing medical treatment on Saturday afternoon, officials said.
People visiting the Pikes Peak Airshow in Colorado Springs faced intense heat and needed medical attention during the event, Ashley Franco, a spokesperson for the Colorado Springs Fire Department, told USA TODAY.
“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 in a statement.
Royal warned that Sunday will be another hot day and asked those attending the airshow to stay hydrated.
Over 100 people needed medical attention on Saturday afternoon due to the extreme heat at a Colorado airshow, with at least 10 hospitalizations reported, according to officials.
Ashley Franco, a Colorado Springs Fire Department spokesman, told USA TODAY that attendees of the Pikes Peak Airshow in Colorado Springs endured extreme heat and required medical attention. A small number of patients were admitted due to other medical emergencies, such as seizures, but the majority of patients were treated for heat-related illnesses.
“When big events are held, the Colorado Springs Fire Department collaborates and gets ready with the airport and the event planners very closely. Colorado Springs Fire Chief Randy Royal said in a statement, “Today, like every day, we had a plan in place in the event we needed to activate it.”. The incident was handled quickly and expertly by all of the airshow’s partners and resources. Their prompt response made sure that everyone was taken care of and that no major injuries occurred. “.”.
Those who are attending the airshow are urged to stay hydrated as Royal has issued a warning that Sunday will be another hot day. According to the National Weather Service, Saturday afternoon temperatures rose into the upper 80s.
A statement issued by the Colorado Springs Airport states that attendees should bring the following items to the event:.
bottled water.
Gloves.
Use sunscreen.
umbrellas.
Information regarding the possibility of heat-related illnesses.
The National Park Service states that the following elements raise the risk of a heat-related illness:.
elevated humidity.
high altitude.
demanding exercise.
Age: People over 65, infants, and young children are more vulnerable to heat illness.
maternity.
Being overweight.
heart conditions.
inadequate blood flow.
A fever.
disease of the mind.
hydration loss.
sunburned skin.
alcohol consumption and prescription drug use.
How to handle the deadliest heat illness, heatstroke.
The NPS states that although there are several types of heat-related illnesses, heatstroke is the deadliest and most hazardous.
The following are signs of a heatstroke, per the CDC:.
at least 103 degrees Celsius in the body.
warm, red, dry, or wet skin.
quick, powerful heartbeat.
Headache.
feeling lightheaded.
nausea.
Perplexity.
unconsciousness.
The following actions are advised by the CDC in the event of a heatstroke:.
Give 911 a call right away.
Transfer the heat-stricken person to a cool area.
Use cool clothes or a bath to bring down the person’s body temperature.
Give the victim of a heatstroke nothing to drink, not even water.
