Man killed, 3 injured after severe thunderstorm tears through Kansas state park

One man was killed and three others injured after a severe thunderstorm ripped through Russell County on Wednesday night.

Christopher Montoya, 64, of Holyrood, Kansas, was found dead in the aftermath of the storm, the Russell County Sheriff’s Office said.

It all started about 11:32 p.m. when a thunderstorm packing 60-70 mph winds and penny-sized hail moved across central Russell County, including Wilson Lake.

Multiple 911 calls came into Russell County emergency communications reporting campers being blown over at the lake. Authorities arrived and found several campers had been damaged, according to the RCSO.

Three people at the lake were taken to the Russell Regional Hospital with injuries and Montoya was found deceased in the Hell Creek area of the state park, the sheriff’s office said.

An autopsy will be done on Montoya to determine the cause of death.

Cleanup efforts are underway at the park with debris on roads, campgrounds and in the water. Power was knocked out in some areas of the state park.

People needing help recovering campers, boats or other property are encouraged to call 911 for assistance.

Local and state agencies that responded to the aftermath of the storm and assisting in clean up efforts include 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.

Wilson State Park is a roughly 945 acres in size in Russell County and a two-hour drive northwest of Wichita.