Top photo credit: John Hunnicutt II
Authorities were unable to resuscitate the 16-year-old boy, who collapsed suddenly while hiking down from Picacho Peak.
Boy Scouts of America is grieving after one of its members, a 16-year-old Scout with the Grand Canyon Council, collapsed and died suddenly during a hike on Saturday.
According to reports, two troop leaders were leading a “small group of Scouts” on a hike through Arizona’s Picacho Peak State Park. The Pinal County Sheriff’s office said the group had water on the way up the prominent 1,500-foot peak, but they ran out on the way down.
Temperatures at the time topped 90 degrees F with high humidity.
Authorities said the boy, who was not identified, began to exhibit signs of extreme dehydration on the descent. The troop called for help, but responders with the Avra Valley Fire Department were unable to resuscitate him and pronounced him dead at the scene, according to AZ Central.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to his family, and we will support them in any way that we can,” BSA CEO Andy Price said in a statement. “Please join us in keeping his family and friends everywhere in your thoughts and prayers.”
