Boy Scout dies in Philmont flood

CIMARRON, N.M. — A Boy Scout on a camping trip with his troop in northern New Mexico died Saturday after he and three other teens were swept away in a flash flood, authorities said.

The teen was one of eight Boy Scouts participating in a 12-day trek at the Philmont Scout Ranch when the flooding hit, New Mexico State Police spokesman Chad Pierce said. The boys ranged in age from 14 to 17. They were accompanied by three adult crew leaders and a scout ranger employed by the ranch.

Pierce said floodwaters came through North Ponil Canyon, where they were camping, around 4:30 a.m. He said the water over-ran their camp site, taking the four boys down the canyon.

Ranch employees were able to rescue three of the boys, Pierce said. State Police were called around 9:30 a.m. and a search and rescue team found the other teen about 90 minutes later. His body was recovered roughly a mile from where he was swept away.

Authorities are not releasing the teen’s identity pending notification.

Philmont Scout Ranch, which is located in Cimarron roughly 50 miles south of the Colorado state line, bills itself as a top destination for “high adventure” and training for the Boy Scouts of America. Comprised of more than 200 square miles, the facility offers Scouts opportunities to learn about camping, rock climbing and other activities. According to the ranch, about 20,000 Scouts visit Philmont annually.

In a statement posted to its website, Philmont Ranch called the death a “very difficult time for our entire Scouting family.”

Teen hospitalized after shark attack

WAVES, N.C. — A hospital spokesman said the latest victim of a shark attack off North Carolina’s coast arrived in critical risk of dying, but his condition had improved.

Carol Flynn said Sunday the teenager arrived at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Va., on Saturday in critical condition. Flynn said he was in serious condition Sunday.

The shark attack was the second in as many days on the Outer Banks and the sixth in the past two weeks along the coasts of North and South Carolina.

Flynn said the man was 18. The National Park Service said he was 17.

The park service said on its Facebook page that the teen suffered injuries to his right calf, buttocks and both hands while swimming with others.