Ian August - 2002

The tragic death of 14-year-old Ian August showed the state of Utah exactly what was needed in light of oversight of the wilderness industry.

But despite this oversight is still needed. Teenagers continue to die in residential programs in Utah. The tragic death also showed exactly how corporate lack of responsibility works. The owners continued in the business under new names. The employees just moved on to the next program working exactly the same.

For his family his death was tragic and a loss they properly forever would be affected by. That makes it extra senseless that none never really was brought to justice for his death.

May he find peace where he is now.


Sources:

• Boy, 14, Dies On Camp Hike In Utah Heat (The New York Times)
• A Deadly Path (Salt Like Tribune)
• http://www.lonsberry.com/readcomments.cfm?story=945 (Bob Lonsberry)
• 433. Distant Drums Beginnings (1000 places You don't want to be as a teenager)

Elisa D Santry - 2006

While most of the children named on this blog had been placed in residential programs involutary Elisa D Santry made the choice to enter an outward bound program on her own. Her family was ensured by the company Outward Bound USA that the program was safe. It was untrue. There had been 24 deaths. Short time before she entered the program a boy lost part of his leg.

The group she was placed in was no consisting of teenagers with the same level of endurance. One of the rules were that the group had to stay together when adults were not present. Still she was alone when she died from a heat-stroke. Then there is the question of the temperature that day. Down in the canyon temperatures reaches 43 degrees celcius and she wore a heavy backpack. She had no experience to determine whether she drank enough. She should have been under supervision from an adult.

The company which arranged the hike continue to send teenagers on wilderness programs.

They may have tightened supervision and safety but for 16 old Miss Santry it was too late. She died neglected by the program.

May she find peace where she is now.


Sources:

• Special Report: A Death at Outward Bound (National geographic)
• Dangers That Can Cause or Lead To… (Boston Magazine)
• Elisa Santry News Files (Teen Advocate USA)

Gregory Owens Jones - 1985

The official version of the death of only 13 year old Gregory Owens Jones was a fall.

However on various message boards the question of water supplies has been asked and left unanswered. Back in 1985 the quality of investigations were not of todays standard. Also regulation as it has been introduced later as result of these tragedies in the wilderness were not in place. We may never learn the full story which robbed this child of his life.

SUWS continues to be in operation today and are now owned by Aspen Education Group.

Sources:
Victims in 1980s,
Washington boy in survival class suffers fall, dies, Eugene Register-Guard July 5, 1985

Erica Harvey - 2002

15 year old Erica Harvey cooked to death in the wilderness. Despite the fact that the wilderness program marketed themselves as professionals they didn't take into account that the body temperature can change very fast on a medicated person in the harsh wilderness conditions.

Her parents sought help by professionals. They didn't get that. Instead they got their daughter killed by amateurs.

Many years later her mother came forward expressing a hope that the tragedy the loss of her daughter meant her for should not repeat itself for another family. Sadly it was not the case.

Sources:
Deaths 2000-4, Fornits Wiki Database
Losing Erica: Cynthia Clark Harvey Doesn't Want Anyone Else's Child to Die in a Wilderness-Therapy Program Phoenix New Times, November 5 2009

Michelle Lynn Sutton - 1990

Michelle Lynn Sutton died on day 7 of what was to be a 63-day program. Michelle collapsed and died of dehydration due to exposure to the elements on a dirt road in Arizona.

Back in 1990 there was no regulation of the wilderness therapy industry. No formal education was demanded by the staff members following the teenagers out in the wilderness. No requirements were demanded by the companies running these operations.

As result anyone could start a business like this a live of the fear and hopes by the parents.

A deadly trap which did cost Michelle her life before she had a chance to live it.

They are in place as we are talking year 2011 and still teenagers continue to lose their lives in the wilderness. The question whether wilderness can be a safe place to heal illness remains to be answered.

Sources:
Victims in 1990s, Fornits Wiki Database
15 year old hiker died of dehydration at Grand Canyon, The Prescott Courier - May 13, 1990
Michelle Sutton Memorial