Father dies in car crash after attempting to get help for collapsed stepson at Big Bend National Park
By Accident.NEWS
Publish Date: June 26, 2023
Father and stepson died
A tragic incident occurred at Big Bend National Park in Texas on Friday afternoon, resulting in the death of a father and his stepson. According to a press release from the park's Communication Center, the incident began when they received an emergency assistance call at 6 p.m. along the Marufo Vega Trail.
The call was made by a father who was hiking with his two stepsons, aged 14 and 21. The teenage boy suddenly felt sick due to heat exhaustion and lost consciousness while they were hiking in temperatures as high as 119 degrees Fahrenheit.
In an attempt to get help for his stepson, the father left him behind and hiked back to their car. Meanwhile, the older son tried carrying his brother back towards the trailhead but unfortunately found him deceased along the way when rescue teams arrived around 7:30 p.m.
Tragically, it was later discovered that during this time frame between leaving his son behind and returning to their vehicle for help, something went wrong with the father's car which resulted in a fatal crash over an embankment at Boquillas Overlook. His body was discovered shortly after by park officials around 8:30 p.m.
Park officials have warned visitors about how dangerous it can be to hike through such rugged desert terrain without proper preparation or supplies like water or shade available nearby. This heartbreaking event serves as yet another reminder of just how important it is for people planning outdoor activities within national parks or other remote areas always take precautions before setting out on any adventure.
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Tags: Fatality, Auto, Texas, Tragedy, Emergencyresponse, Fatherandson, Big Bend National Park, Hiking, Heatstroke, Ruggedterrain
Incident at a Glance
- Parties Involved:
- father, stepson
- Vehicles:
- car
- Fatality:
- YES
- State:
- Texas
- City:
- Big Bend National Park
- Location:
- Marufo Vega Trail, Big Bend National Park
- Time of Incident:
- between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Marufo Vega Trail, Big Bend National Park
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