Friendswood Man Dies Hiking In Big Bend National Park

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TX — A 54-year-old Friendswood man died Tuesday while hiking on the Marufo Vega Trail in Big Bend National Park, park rangers announced.

Park rangers who were investigating a vehicle parked at the trailhead of Marufo Vega Trail would later discover the body of Richard Merrill.

Park rangers said in a Facebook post that they found a note from Merrill detailing his plans to hike the trail and to contact authorities if he didn’t return.

Under these conditions, a hiker will lose more moisture to sweat and evaporation than can be replenished by drinking and can quickly become dehydrated and experience heat illness.

Temperatures in the morning were already in the 90s and reached a high of 106 later in the day, officials said.

“The environment of Big Bend in the summer is, sadly, unforgiving. We urge all hikers to be sure they are prepared for the summer desert conditions so they are able to return home and safely visit Big Bend again. I would also like to extend my thanks to the hard work of the search and rescue team under these extreme conditions, as well as to our Border Patrol partners for their assistance,” said Superintendent Bob Krumenaker.

Members of the U.S. Border Patrol and park rangers recovered Merrill’s body the following day.

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