10-year-old boy dies after hiking in mountains with family on 113-degree day, Arizona police say

By Helena Wegner
The Charlotte Observer

PHOENIX — A 10-year-old boy died after hiking an Arizona mountain with his family in triple-digit temperatures, police said.

Firefighters responded to the fire around 2 p.m. July 2 at South Mountain Park and Preserve, the Phoenix Fire Department said in a news release.

They found the boy about a mile down the trail, where he was experiencing a heat-related emergency, and performed life-saving measures on him, firefighters said.

A Phoenix police helicopter evacuated the child from the trail and brought him to an ambulance, where he was taken to a hospital in critical condition, authorities said.

The police said he later died of heat to the hospital.

The investigation is ongoing.

Phoenix reached a maximum temperature of 113 degrees that day, according to AccuWeather and the National Weather Service.

South Mountain Park and Preserve spans over 16,000 acres and has over 100 miles of trails.

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NEXT: Communities vulnerable to heat:

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Beat the heat

When the temperatures are extremely high, some people’s bodies may have difficulty regulating their temperature.

In some cases, people can suffer from heat exhaustion and experience muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, if heat exhaustion persists too long, it can lead to heat strokeThe most serious form of heatstroke. People with heatstroke may have hot, red, dry, or moist skin. They may also have a rapid, pounding pulse and be confused. People who have symptoms should get indoors immediately and call 911.

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If people choose to hike or be outside in dangerously hot temperaturesOfficials recommend the following tips:

• Carry and drink plenty of water and plan to replenish your electrolytes.
• Eat twice as much food as usual and have salty foods on hand.
• Have a first aid kit with you.
• Take only the essentials.
• Bring a flashlight with extra batteries for hiking in the cool of the evening.
• Spray yourself with water to cool down.
• Bring a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
• Have a whistle or signal in case of emergency.
• Wear waterproof clothing.

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