A Florida man and his 14-year-old stepson have died last Friday after hiking in conditions of extreme heat in Big Bend National Park in southwestern Texas, according to authorities.
The 31-year-old man and his Florida stepchildren, ages 14 and 21, were walking down the street. sendero Marufo Vega on Friday, as temperatures topped 119 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius), according to a Press release published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Due to extreme temperatures, the child became ill and lost consciousness. The stepfather returned to his vehicle for help, while the older son tried to carry his brother back to the trailhead, the NPS said.
At approximately 6 pm, the Big Bend National Park Communications Center received a call requesting emergency assistance. A team of park rangers and US Border Patrol agents arrived at the scene at 7:30 p.m. and they found the teenager dead on the trailaccording to official communication.
The authorities began the search for the father and, around 8 pm, his vehicle was found after crashing on the embankment of the Boquillas viewpoint. The man was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, the NPS said.
Authorities did not immediately identify the two victims, nor did they provide information about the 21-year-old and his state of health. The incident remains under investigation..
The NPS note added that “the Marufo Vega Trail winds through extremely rugged desert and rocky cliffs within the hottest part of Big Bend National Park. With no shade or water, this strenuous trail is dangerous to attempt in the heat of summer.”
Big Bend National Park is currently experiencing a extreme heatwith daily highs reaching 110-119 °F (43-48 °C) at low elevations and along the Rio Grande, according to the release.
