One Missouri man is dead and another hospitalized after they ran out of water while on a social media challenge Wednesday in Badlands National Park.
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office says 22-year old Maxwell Right of St Louis was dead when he was found.
His 21-year old companion, whose name has not been released, was found alive by Park rangers and flown to Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City by Life Flight air ambulance..
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the two men were on an unmarked trail featured in a social media challenge when they ran out of water Wednesday.
Right collapsed and died with dehydration and exposure suspected as the likely cause. The second man was placed under observation at the hospital for exposure and dehydration caused by the hot weather and a lack of Water.
Agencies that responded to the incident include the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Badlands National Park Law Enforcement, Life Flight, Wall Ambulance, Rapid City Ambulance, and the Interior Volunteer Fire Department.
The incident remains under investigation and the County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that when visiting Badlands National Park or other remote locations for outdoor activities, stay on marked trails and carry sufficient supplies of water.