Teen hiker and stepfather die while hiking in Texas national park during extreme heat

A 14-year-old boy and his stepfather died while hiking in Texas’ Big Bend National Park during extreme temperatures on Friday. 

The duo, who have not yet been identified, and another boy were hiking on the rugged Marufo Vega Trail, near the U.S.-Mexico border, when the 14-year-old fell ill and lost consciousness.

His stepfather, 31, hiked back to their vehicle to find assistance, while the boy’s 12-year-old brother carried his brother back to the trailhead. 

The park’s communication center receives a call at around 6 p.m. local time requesting emergency assistance along the trail, according to a press release by park officials. 

At around 7:30 p.m., Park Rangers and Border Patrol Agents reaches the scene, only to find that the 14-year-old had already passed away. 

A search was then initiated for the stepfather, who was nowhere to be found. Soon after, park officials found the stepfather’s vehicle over the embankment at the Boquillas Overlook. He had crashed while seeking help for his stepson. He was pronounced dead at the scene, park officials said. 

The teenager’s cause of death is still pending and the incident is under investigation. 

Temperatures on Friday reached a shocking 119 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius), as the state continues to grapple with high-reaching temperatures. The local weather service issued an excessive heat warning through Tuesday, as temperatures are expected to reach up to 120 degrees in some parts of the Rio Grande Valley. 

“The Marufo Vega Trail winds through extremely rugged desert and rocky cliffs within the hottest part of Big Bend National Park,” park officials said. “No shade or water makes this strenuous trail dangerous to attempt in the heat of summer.”