CIMARRON, N.M., June 28 (UPI) -- A Boy Scout who was on a two-week trek with other scouts in northern New Mexico died when he was swept away in a flash flood Saturday.
The boy was among eight scouts, ages 14 to 17, and four adult leaders at the Philmont Scout Ranch, a 214-acre expanse, when a flash flood rushed into a canyon about 4:30 a.m. Saturday. Three other boys were rescued from the flood, State Police spokesman Chad Pierce said.
"As the floodwater swept through the canyon, it overran the Scouts' campsite, resulting in four Boy Scouts being swept away," he said.
Authorities were able to locate three of the boys immediately, but began a rescue mission when the fourth boy, who was not identified, could not be found.
The ranch welcomes some 20,000 scouts a year for training and service projects, according to its website.
"This is a very difficult time for our entire scouting family," ranch officials said in a written statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and we are supporting them in any way that we can."
