Storms kill Texas boy, woman at Scout camp in Ontario park along border

ELY, Minn. – A teenage boy and a woman, both from Texas, have been killed while camping in an Ontario provincial park after severe storms swept through a remote area along the U.S.-Canada border.

The boy and the female volunteer were camping with a Boy Scouts adventure program when they died.

Authorities say the group of nine people — three adults and six boys — were in Quetico Provincial Park, west of Thunder Bay, Ont., when strong winds blew through early Thursday.

The Boy Scouts of America says the winds knocked down trees that killed the two campers and injured two others.

Ontario Provincial Police identified the two who died as 13-year-old Christian James Sanchez of Lewisville, Texas, and 39-year-old Rorth Lac of Carrollton, Texas. A post-mortem examination was scheduled for Friday.

The incident is not considered suspicious.

“This is a very difficult time for our Scouting family,” the Scouts said in a statement.

“The safety and well-being of our participants is our top priority. Immediately following the radio distress call, we contacted the local authorities for support, and began making contact with all crews on-site to offer assistance and assure the safety of all involved.”

The Scouts said they will offer grief counselling to their members and volunteers.