Christopher Montoya Obituary – One individual lost their life and three others sustained injuries following a severe thunderstorm that swept through Russell County on Wednesday night. The deceased, Christopher Montoya, 64, from Holyrood, Kansas, was discovered in the aftermath of the storm, as confirmed by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident unfolded around 11:32 p.m. when a thunderstorm with wind speeds of 60-70 mph and hail the size of pennies passed through central Russell County, affecting Lake Wilson as well.
Numerous 911 calls were received by Russell County emergency services reporting campers being overturned at the lake. Upon arrival, authorities found several damaged campers, as reported by the RCSO.
Three individuals from the lake were transported to Russell Regional Hospital due to injuries, while Montoya was found deceased in the Hell Creek area of the state park, according to the sheriff’s office.
An autopsy will be conducted on Montoya to ascertain the cause of death.
Efforts are currently underway to clean up the park, with debris scattered across roads, campgrounds, and water bodies. Power outages have also been reported in certain areas of the state park.
Individuals requiring assistance in recovering campers, boats, or other belongings are advised to contact 911 for support.
Various local and state agencies, including the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Highway Patrol, Russell County EMS, Lucas Fire Department, Dorrance Fire Department, and the Army Corps of Engineers, responded to the aftermath of the storm and are aiding in the cleanup process.
Wilson State Park spans approximately 945 acres in Russell County and is located around a two-hour drive northwest of Wichita.