Dad, 31, dies trying to save stepson, 14, who also perished on Texas hiking trail

A father and his teenage stepson from Florida were found dead in separate areas of a Texas national park on Friday.

The fatalities occurred during a family hike in the harsh heat, leading to the 14-year-old boy collapsing, according to officials.

The family, which included the stepfather and the 21-year-old brother of the teenager, was trekking along the Marufo Vega Trail at Big Bend National Park under blistering temperatures. On the day in question, temperatures in the area reached a staggering high of 119 degrees, reports NBC DFW.

The teenager fell ill and lost consciousness around 6:00PM, which prompted the father to rush back to their vehicle to seek assistance while the elder brother attempted to carry his unconscious sibling back to the trailhead.

The family had been trekking along the Marufo Vega Trail at Big Bend National Park. Credit: Archive Photos / Getty

Around 7:30PM, authorities located the unconscious boy and his brother. Unfortunately, the teenager was declared dead at the scene, as stated by the National Park Service.

A mere half an hour later, the father's car was spotted by Park Rangers and US Border Patrol Agents. The vehicle had crashed over the embankment at the Boquillas Overlook. The 31-year-old father was also pronounced dead at the scene.

The Marufo Vega Trail, known for its rugged desert and rocky cliffs, is positioned within the hottest part of Big Bend National Park. The challenging trail, lacking in shade or water, poses considerable risk when traversed in the summer heat, warned the agency in a statement.

Big Bend National Park. Credit: John Moore / Getty

The National Park Service said: "A team of Park Rangers and U.S. Border Patrol Agents reached the scene at approximately 7:30PM and located the young victim deceased along the trail. A search was then initiated for the father. At approximately 8:00PM, his vehicle was located crashed over the embankment at the Boquillas Overlook. The 31-year-old male was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash."

The statement continued: "The Marufo Vega Trail winds through extremely rugged desert and rocky cliffs within the hottest part of Big Bend National Park. No shade or water makes this strenuous trail dangerous to attempt in the heat of summer.

"Big Bend is currently experiencing extreme heat with daily highs reaching 110-119 F at low elevations and along the Rio Grande."

The names of the victims have not been released by park officials, and the incident is currently under investigation.

Featured image credit: Brandon Bell / Getty