A Boy Scout from River Forest died while hiking at a Scouting America summer camp in Michigan on July 23.
The 11-year-old sustained severe injuries that became fatal after a falling tree limb hit him at the Owasippe Scout Reservation, according to the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office as cited by multiple news sources.
It is reported that the sheriff’s office was notified just after 5 p.m. on Thursday and responded to the incident with help from the Blue Lake Fire Department and other emergency responders.
At this time, a name has not been released to the public, but a spokesperson for the family expressed their appreciation to the community for rallying around them.
“The family is grateful for the overwhelming support from the greater Oak Park-River Forest community and asks for privacy at this difficult time as they grieve the loss of a child,” wrote a person authorized to speak on behalf of the family to Wednesday Journal.
Scouting America, formerly Boy Scouts of America, Pathway to Adventure Council which serves youth across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana shared its condolences and details of the tragic incident in a statement on social media on Friday.
“The safety and well-being of every youth and adult in our care remains our highest priority. Council leadership and Reservation staff are working closely with the appropriate authorities and following established protocols,” the statement read. “At this time, our focus remains on supporting the family, the unit, and everyone affected by this tragic loss. We will share additional information as appropriate and when it becomes available.”
The organization recognized how this hard loss can impact children and adults, encouraging leaders to check on scouts and offer resources.
No one else was hurt, and authorities are still investigating the incident.