Colorado Authorities Seek Public Assistance to Identify Young Woman in Critical Condition Following Severe Lightning Strike

Authorities in Superior, Colorado, are trying to identify a woman in her 20s with butterfly tattoos who was struck by lightning and remains in critical condition.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 5:19 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from BBC

A Sudden Strike in Suburban Superior

Emergency responders in Boulder County are working urgently to identify a young woman who was critically injured by a lightning strike on Thursday evening. The incident occurred at approximately 17:39 local time on a walking path in Superior, a suburban community located about 20 miles northwest of Denver. According to Carrie Haverfield, a public information officer for the sheriff's office, bystanders were alerted to the emergency by a loud boom, which prompted them to investigate the area. Upon discovering the unresponsive victim, these individuals initiated life saving CPR until professional medical teams arrived at the scene.

Physical Description and Unique Identifiers

The victim is described as a white female between 20 and 30 years old, standing 5'5 tall and weighing approximately 120 pounds. She has red or auburn hair and possesses a distinct physical identifier: a tattoo of three butterflies on her upper right arm. At the time of the incident, she was dressed in athletic attire, including a green running shirt, black running shorts with white stripes, and a grey or black windbreaker. While her running shoes were pink or white, the extreme nature of the strike made it impossible for investigators to determine the specific brand of her clothing or footwear.

Medical Status and Resuscitation Efforts

When first responders reached the victim, she was not breathing and had no detectable pulse. Following intensive resuscitation efforts, medical personnel managed to restore a faint pulse and stabilize her breathing before airlifting her to a specialized hospital in Denver. By Friday morning, officials reported that she had regained a regular heart rate and was breathing independently, though she remains unconscious. The sheriff's office has opted not to release a photograph of the victim at this time, citing significant trauma to her face and body that has temporarily altered her appearance.