One dead, five rescued at Lake Mead

A 69-year-old man died Saturday from heat-related illness while hiking near Lake Mead, and four Boy Scouts and another man had to be rescued, Lake Mead National Recreation Area park rangers said late Saturday.

Clawson Bowman Jr., 69, of Las Vegas was found dead in the White Rock Canyon area.

A search for the men and the scouts began at 1:07 p.m. when the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office reported that the scouts were lost near the Arizona Hot Springs. Temperatures soared to 112 degrees Saturday afternoon.

At 2:21 p.m., the Lake Mead NRA ICC received another call reporting that two adult males were suffering from heat stroke around the same area, the park service said.

Rangers made contact with Bowman at 3:21 p.m. about a mile from the trailhead. He was pronounced dead on arrival. The Mohave County Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.

The second adult male, whose name was not released, was located in the area at 3:42 p.m. He was provided advanced life support care until he was rescued by air at 5:54 p.m.

The Boy Scouts maintained phone communication with Lake Mead NRA ICC throughout the search. They were located by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Air Support at 4:59 p.m.

All four Boy Scouts were safely transported from the area by Metro Air by 5:31 p.m. They were treated by paramedics at the trailhead.

“Our sympathies go out to the Bowman family,” said Christie Vanover, park spokesperson. “We are thankful that, with the support of around 30 first responders, the others were safely rescued. The boys were very brave this afternoon as they tried to explain their location to our dispatchers.”