Sacramento Boy Scouts Mourn Teen Killed In New Mexico Flash Flood
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A scouting trip of a lifetime took the life of a Sacramento Boy Scout over the weekend in New Mexico.
Authorities say Alden Brock, 13, was swept away when a flash flood hit in the New Mexico backcountry.
The Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico is a popular wilderness safety training program in the state's background that attracts hundreds of scouts at any given time.
In the pre-dawn hours on Saturday, an unexpected flash flood swept Brock and three other scouts downstream. New Mexico state police say the Philmont Ranch staff found the other three boys who were able to escape the flood water.
"It was just a freak accident," said Eagle Scout Dick Burkhart.
He says his son was privileged to experience the journey in the past, explaining the ranch is extremely prepared.
"It's very sad because they're very, very safe there," he said. "They take all the precautions."
The Golden Empire Council released a statement assuring families that "all other participants have been accounted for and there are no additional injuries."