Excessive Heat in Arizona, July 22, 2016

Excessive heat developed across the south central deserts deserts, including the greater Phoenix area, on Friday July 22nd and the high temperature at Phoenix officially reached 112 degrees. An Excessive Heat Warning was in effect during the afternoon hours as a result of the dangerous heat. Unfortunately the heat turned deadly; a 12 year old boy died after hiking in North Phoenix during the afternoon hours. According to Fox 10 news, the 12 year old was hiking the Apache Wash trail with a family friend during the afternoon when he was overcome by the excessive heat. The man tried unsuccessfully to carry him down from the trail but had to leave him on the trail when he went for help. The man also tried to use his cell phone to call for help but the phone was not working. They both had 2 liters of water with them at the time of the incident. Phoenix fire crews were called to the scene at 5 pm and the boy was flown to Phoenix Children's Hospital where he later died. Captain Ardell Deliz with the fire department said that children can start experiencing heat-related illness sooner than an adult due to having a much higher metabolism. They don't sweat the same as an adult and cannot regulate their temperature as effectively as an adult.