RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office says one man has died and another is in the hospital after running out of water while hiking in Badlands National Park.
The sheriff’s office says the two young males from Missouri were on an unmarked trail featured in a social media challenge, and ran out of water Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
Maxwell Right, 22 years old from St. Louis, Missouri, collapsed and died from suspected dehydration and exposure. His 21-year-old companion from Missouri was reached by Park Rangers and flown by Life Flight air ambulance to Monument Health. He was being observed for exposure and dehydration due to the hot weather and lack of water.
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public stay on marked trails and carry sufficient supplies when participating in outdoor activities. This incident is still under investigation.
Responding agencies include Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Badlands National Park Law Enforcement, Life Flight, Wall Ambulance, Rapid City Ambulance, and Interior Volunteer Fire Department.
