Family that died in California mountains over summer tried to text for help I ABC7

A family that died of heat exhaustion during a grueling summer hike in Northern California sent a last, desperate text pleading for help, authorities said Thursday.

[brianparks]

This is sad, but it doesn't make any sense, they were in distress before noon? The dog could have drank from the river they were next to.

[lalifromcali]

This will always be one of the saddest stories.

[thefix]

The family was found dead of heat exhaustion next to the Merced River...?

[augustrush]

Individuals that think ahead? (Water, Food supplies/Backpacks). Always be prepared. Why take the chance? High cost for not following common sense. Sorry for the family’s loss. R.I.P.

[opo]

Tragic story, but I have to wonder -- WHO BRINGS A *BABY* ON A HIKING TRIP!?

[samiransinha]

It is very hard to digest that all four members including the dog died due to heat exhaustion. Imagine, temperature was 109 def F (aka 42.8 deg C). Even if you think that temperature is too high for someone, what is the likelihood that all four of them have the same heat tolerance level? it is very tiny, close to zero. There must be some other reasons. Simple heat exhaustion cannot kill all four simultaneously at that temperature.

[socalfriend]

The baby and the dog were casualties. They could not prepare or bring water or even say NO, not a good idea to go hiking.

[Hippy]

I don't understand. With baby how you could go hiking without checking weather. I never even expose my baby out at a park in the city during hot weather. Not even driving to the country side for fun. Who knows if something happens to your car in the middle of nowhere in the summer heat. Broken heart for a such thing happened to this beautiful young family. A lesson for all young parents with kids. I travel alone most of the time but always check weather before I go.

[miscellanyman]

Took a hike in the middle of nowhere with a baby -- that is Abject Cruelty. Whose fancy idea was that? Families of America, please do not take your "family" on a hike until everyone is well above the age of 12 -- and make it a trip to a Campground, not a hike in the middle of nowhere (rolling eyes).

[thefix]

How do you die of heat exhaustion next to a river? Serious ? Something seems off.

[rbyfheq]

If you are texting for help, then you didn’t go prepared to begin with. A little foresight and planning goes a long way. I get the picture of a family that never even been on a day hike before. Wonder how many selfies they took. Expecting cell service on a trail in the mountains is just plain ignorance.

[besame]

The dog died? Something is very odd...

[Truth-lxpm]

Sick weriods, hiking with a baby, atleast th3 baby is in heaven, and away from these irresponsible so called parents

[brutishfossil]

Nah. dog wouldn't have died naturally. Instinct would have kicked in. Something not right with this.

[josevenegas]

Just cus it says river doesn't mean that it had water plz hundreds of people make the same decision cus when u go hiking u don't expect to get lost on the trail or have to spend more time that u need too specially when its an unplanned trip.. Its sad enough what happened plz don't judge the family

[vigilante]

🧐🤔 people need to know what there getting into,
And listen when others say hydrate, smh

[georgespalding]

This tragedy seems very strange and unusual, but I can see how it happened. They were a very successful and health-conscious couple who decided to go for a summer hike on the spur of the moment and didn't bring enough water and didn't believe it was going to be that HOT on the Trail. They went further up the trail then they anticipated, and the trail had NO shade and the temperature rose quickly in the afternoon that day much higher than predicted. The exposed ground temp could have been 140-150 degrees on the trail, and they would be in trouble very quickly. This happened to me one day and I almost didn't make it back to the car even though I had water with me on a familiar trail. I never Hike in the summer in SoCal anymore, only the cooler times of the year.

[logang]

Poor family. Apple needs to hurry up with those new phones. Being able to make calls from places like that by using low orbiting satellites.

[polldock]

How do you (especially a dog) die of heat exhaustion or lack of water when you’re hiking by a

[puppiesgoarf]

They were covered with maggots and vultures