Up to 50 people fell ill in a “mass accident” at the Pikes Peak Regional Airshow when temperatures reached scorching highs

Due to brutal temperatures, 40 or more people fell ill at the air show, which the rescue services classified as a mass accident

The Colorado Springs Fire Department said no one died at the Pikes Peak Regional Airshow on Saturday, while dozens of visitors suffered from heat-related illnesses.

The fire department confirmed to CBS partner station KKTV that an event could be defined as a mass casualty incident if there was not only a high number of fatalities but also a large number of injured people.

Due to the dangerously high temperatures on Saturday (maximum: 34.4 degrees Celsius), many people suffered from dehydration and heat exhaustion.

“The Colorado Springs Fire Department is actively responding to a mass casualty incident at the Pikes Peak Airshow where more than 40 to 50 people are suffering from heat-related illnesses,” the air show and fire department said in a joint statement.

“Several people were taken to local hospitals, others were taken indoors to cool down.

“Fortunately, no one died. In incidents with a large number of injured people, injuries are also included in the definition.

“When a large number of patients are admitted with injuries, this is considered an MCI because of the large number of resources required, the potential for medical resource overload, and the need to support hospital partners in preparing for multiple patients.”

The air show attracted huge crowds; according to KKTV, more than 30,000 visitors are expected over the course of the weekend.

Tickets for the air show sold out in just ten days and police said they had been preparing for the event weeks in advance.

“We work with numerous partners and PDs and have hundreds of volunteers on site throughout the weekend to help us,” Lauren DeMarco, marketing manager for Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, told KKTV ahead of the event.

“I would just say come early and have your tickets ready. Our team is working as best they can to make sure it's safe for everyone.”

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