The parents of a Texas teenager, who collapsed and died while on a backpacking trip with his Boy Scout troop, have filed a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America for sending their son on an ‘extremely aggressive hike’ in 100-degree weather.
Reid Comita, 15, was a student at Central High School in Keller, Texas, when he died from heat stroke on June 12 while hiking at Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch.
His parents, John and Copper Comita, recently filed a lawsuit in Dallas County District Court blaming the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for negligence on behalf of their son’s death.
John and Copper Comita (left), the parents of Reid Comita (right), 15, who died while on a hiking trip in Texas, filed a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America for sending their son on the hike in 100-degree weather
Reid’s parents allege that their son was ‘sent on an extremely aggressive hike’, which isn’t what they signed their son up for. The Comita family said Reid (pictured), was signed up for an adult-supervised introductory backpacking class, because that was the safest option
‘The Boy Scouts of America are responsible for my son’s death. It’s that simple. They are responsible,’ John told WFAA.
Reid’s parents allege that their son was ‘sent on an extremely aggressive hike’ in 100-degree weather, which isn’t what they signed their son up for.
The Comita family said Reid, who was an experienced scout and had almost reached Eagle Scout status, was signed up for an adult-supervised introductory backpacking class, because that was the safest option.
‘He wasn’t an athlete. He wasn’t prepared to go on an advanced hike,’ his father told the station.
According to the lawsuit, Reid was not supervised by two adults and instead was accompanied by two teenagers.
The lawsuit also states that Reid didn’t receive proper training at the camp before being sent out on the more advanced hike.
Reid’s mother, Copper (left, with Reid) said they weren’t notified of Reid’s death for more than four hours
According to John Comita (left, with his son), who grew up participating in the Boy Scouts, the family hasn’t heard from anyone at Boy Scouts of America
‘We were calling, and no one could give us a straight answer as to how he was,’ Reid’s mother, Copper, told the station.
The family said outlined communication issues in the lawsuit, claiming they weren’t notified of Reid’s death for more than four hours.
According to John Comita, who grew up participating in the Boy Scouts, the family hasn’t heard from anyone at Boy Scouts of America.
However, the organization did say in a statement to WFAA that BSA is keeping the ‘family in our thoughts and prayers’.
‘The health and safety of our youth members is of paramount importance to the BSA, and integral to everything we do. We strive to create a safe environment for youth to experience outdoor adventure,’ the organization said.
Reid (pictured with his dad) collapsed at the Buffalo Trails Scout Ranch, where the temperature reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The hikers were in the Davis Mountains where rescue crews could not reach him forcing guides to perform CPR on him for more than an hour-and-a-half
Reid was on a trip to get a badge that would boost him to Eagle Scout rank. His troop awarded him the honor (pictured) posthumously
In June, when the family found out about their son’s death, John described his son as possessing all of the characteristics of a Scout.
‘A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent,’ Reid’s dad said at the time. ‘He was all those.’
Reid collapsed at the Buffalo Trails Scout Ranch, where the temperature reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
The hikers were in the Davis Mountains where ambulances and other rescue crews could not reach him forcing other guides to perform CPR on him for more than an hour-and-a-half.
Reid was on a trip to get a badge that would boost him to Eagle Scout rank. His troop awarded him the honor posthumously.