DENVER (KDVR) — On Monday, the coroner announced the cause of death for two hunters who went missing earlier this month, saying they were killed by a lightning strike.

Experts say this is not an uncommon occurrence in Colorado among outdoor recreation activities. According to data from the National Weather Service, since 1980, Colorado has seen an average of two deaths and 12 injuries a year due to lightning strikes.

“Lightning is a really scary thing," Alpine Rescue Team's Dale Atkins said. “Anybody who’s been involved in mountain rescue, search and rescue here in Colorado long enough will eventually have to go to help someone who’s been involved in a lightning strike.”

Hunters Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko were determined on Monday by a coroner to have been killed by a lightning strike

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