Tragedy Strikes Big Bend National Park as 14-Year-Old and Stepfather Die Hiking in Extreme Heat

Tragedy struck Big Bend National Park in Texas on Saturday when a 14-year-old boy and his stepfather died while hiking in extreme heat.

According to the National Park Service, the teen and his stepfather, a 31-year-old man from Florida, were hiking the Marufo Vega Trail near the U.S.-Mexico border when temperatures reached 119 degrees Fahrenheit. Around 6 p.m., the 14-year-old fell ill and passed out.

Park Rangers and agents from the U.S. Border Patrol arrived around 7:30 p.m. and found the teen had died along the trail. The stepfather had attempted to hike back to their vehicle to find help, but his vehicle had veered off its path and crashed down an embankment beneath an overlook.

The Brewster County medical examiner’s office has not yet responded to a request for information. The National Park Service has expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased.

The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of extreme heat and the importance of taking precautions when hiking in such conditions.