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IAN AUGUST: Utah Pulls Wilderness Youth
Program's License After Boy's Death
Friday, October 11, 2002
(10-11) 10:41 PDT SALT LAKE CITY (AP) --
The state of Utah is revoking the license of a
wilderness program for troubled youth that came under scrutiny after
the heat exhaustion death of a 14-year-old boy in July.
Ian August died July 13 during the early stages
of a three-mile hike in west-central Utah after complaining of
thirst and exhaustion. Skyline Journey Director Mark Wardle and
counselor Leigh Hale were charged with child-abuse homicide.
The Utah Department of Human Services said
Friday it would pull Skyline Journey's state license Oct. 25.
Skyline chief executive Lee Wardle said the program would appeal,
which would allow Skyline to operate until administrative hearings
are complete. Wardle declined to comment further.
The department found four violations stemming
from Ian's death, including pushing the boy beyond his physical
abilities; improper screening for admission; and improper response
to the medical emergency.
The hike started at 8:30 a.m. for six students
and three employees. About three hours into the hike, the boy
complained of thirst and refused to continue. A counselor gave him
water under the shade of a tarpaulin while the rest continued the
hike, Wardle said in a previous interview.
At about 1:30 p.m., Ian began moaning and then
fell backward. The counselor could not find a pulse. Wardle radioed
for help, but the youth was dead when emergency personnel arrived
two hours later.
The death was the fifth in a Utah wilderness
program since 1990. Nine youth wilderness programs have state
licenses.
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