Severe Thunderstorm Kills One and Injures Three at Wilson State Park, Kansas

On Wednesday night, a severe thunderstorm wreaked havoc in Russell County, Kansas, leading to one fatality and leaving three individuals injured. According to Sheriff Andrew Van Der Wege, the storm unleashed winds reaching 68 to 70 miles per hour as it swept through Lake Wilson in Wilson State Park.

The powerful winds caused multiple campers to topple, prompting an influx of 911 calls to the sheriff's office starting at 11:52 p.m. Law enforcement officers rushed to the area and discovered overturned campers, ultimately locating three injured individuals. Tragically, they also found the lifeless body of 64-year-old Christopher Montoya from Holyrood in the Hell Creek Park area of the state park. Montoya's body was subsequently transported to a local mortuary, with an autopsy scheduled to determine the cause of death.

Efforts and Warnings

The injured parties were swiftly taken to Russell Regional Hospital, although details regarding their conditions have not been disclosed. The sheriff's office has cautioned potential visitors about the perilous conditions at Lake Wilson, advising caution due to debris and power outages stemming from the storm's impact.

This tragic incident adds to a string of severe storms and flooding that have recently afflicted the Midwest. The area continues to grapple with the aftermath of these natural disasters, further underscoring the need for vigilance and preparedness in the face of such volatile weather conditions.