Additional details have emerged regarding the man that died on Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs earlier this month.

Initially, there was some confusion about whether or not the out-of-state visitor was traveling along the highway or hiking to the 14,115-foot summit at the time of the incident. According to the official autopsy report from the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, the deceased male was making a trip to the top of Pikes Peak on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, when he became “severely winded” after a short hike. Search and rescue confirmed that he was a highway visitor, not someone making the full hike. According to Search & Rescue, the man was located near the Devil’s Playground area.

The deceased male hiker has been identified as 55-year-old Kevin Massey from Missouri. The cause of death was determined to be atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Editor’s Note: Here’s an  editorial about why our team covers death, injuries, and rescues in outdoor recreation.

Altitude sickness is one of the biggest dangers to be aware of when visiting Colorado. Anyone can be susceptible to this condition, regardless of age or fitness level. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, rapid pulse, and shortness of breath. Altitude sickness also increases demand on the heart, making heart problems more likely, especially if one is at risk. Here are a few extra things about altitude sickness that you should know.