This story is tragic on so many levels and contains numerous lessons for people entering the outdoors.
An Air Force veteran known as an experienced hiker died
along with two of his young sons after apparently getting lost on a desolate
Missouri trail in heavy rain and plunging temperatures, according to a Fox News
report.
David Decareaux, 36, of Millstadt, Ill., and his 8- and
10-year-old sons were found Sunday, a day after they ventured out with their
4-month-old yellow Labrador retriever on the Ozark Trail, about 110 miles
southwest of St. Louis.
Decareaux died at the scene, and the boys were declared dead
at a hospital after efforts to revive them failed. It is believed the three
died of exposure to the elements, though autopsies were planned.
The dog was found near the victims and survived.
Apparently, Decareaux knew the popular trail but apparently
took a wrong turn and was ill-equipped for temperatures that sank from 60
degrees to the 20s as the day progressed. Decareaux had been wearing only a
light jacket, while one of his sons was clad in a fleece pullover, and the
other a sweater.
A passer-by spotted the hikers more than three hours into
their journey and asked if they needed a ride back to the Brushy Creek Lodge
near Black, where Decareaux's wife and their three other children - ages 12, 4
and 2 - were staying. But Decareaux declined, telling the man they could make
it back.
"They just missed their turn back to the lodge," a
sheriff said. "By that time, their light played out. You don't have any
ambient light down here because there are no cities or towns. When it's dark
you can't see the back of your hand."
Officials at the lodge called the sheriff's department about
7 p.m. Saturday, concerned that the hikers had not returned. A search involving
more than 50 volunteers on foot, horseback and in vehicles lasted until about
12:30 a.m. Sunday, when flash-flooding in creeks forced searchers to back off
until daylight.
The bodies of Decareaux and the boys were found soaking wet
Sunday morning, their dog beside them.
