A stepfather and one of his two stepsons died after hiking in extreme heat at Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas on Friday, the National Park Service shared.
The family, from Florida, was hiking on Marufo Vega Trail as temperatures soared to 119 degrees, a news release shared. The father, 31, and his two stepsons, 14 and 21, ran into trouble as temperatures rose.
“The Marufo Vega Trail winds through extremely rugged desert and rocky cliffs within the hottest part of Big Bend National Park. No shade or water makes this strenuous trail dangerous to attempt in the heat of summer. Big Bend is currently experiencing extreme heat with daily highs reaching 110-119 (degrees) at low elevations and along the Rio Grande,” according to the park service.
While the three were hiking Big Bend, the 14-year-old began to “feel ill along the trail and lost consciousness,” the parks service shared.
The father reportedly left the scene to try and find help while making his way back to their vehicle. At the same time, the 21-year-old brother attempted to carry his brother back to the trailhead, the release shared.
The Big Bend National Park’s Communications Center was notified that emergency services were required at about 6 p.m., the park service shared.
“Park Rangers and US Border Patrol Agents reached the scene at approximately 7:30 p.m. and located the young victim deceased along the trail,” officials said.
Authorities then started looking for the stepfather, eventually finding him in his vehicle, which had crashed over an embankment at the Boquillas Overlook at approximately 8 p.m., the park services shared.
The father was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
However, there were no details shared about the 21-year-old.
The incident is still under investigation.
Related
Related
