BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

The Los Alamos community is reeling Sunday evening with the news that Joshua Miko, 17, of Los Alamos died Saturday evening following a tragic accident during a camping trip with his Boy Scout Troop. Los Alamos High School parents and students were notified in an email from Principal Carter Payne midday on Sunday.

Channel 7 News in Albuquerque is reporting information received from a spokesman from the Conejos County Sheriff’s Department that Miko was camping with other members of Boy Scout Troop 22 at Red Lake Trail Head in the Rio Grande National Forest near the New Mexico-Colorado border when a snow cave he was working on collapsed and left him trapped in the snow. The report states that scouts and adult supervisors were able to dig him out and transport him to a hospital in Chama but emergency personnal could not revive him.

Principal Payne’s email noted that LAHS has a grief team made up of professional trained to help with the needs of students and school personnel at difficult times such as this. He said counselors are available over the coming days for any student who may need to talk to someone or need any type of assistance surrounding this loss. Links to a virtual support room will be shared by LAHS Monday morning.

“Our current remote learning model does present unique challenges.  As you process this news together with your family and your peers, we are here to help. Please reach out to us if you are aware of members of our community that need additional support in the coming days and weeks. My heart is with Josh’s family, and with all of you,” Payne’s email stated.

 The Los Alamos Reporter was contacted Sunday evening by community members associated with Troop 22 in various ways. They have asked that community keep all those affected by this tragedy – young and old – in their thoughts and prayers as they work through this awful tragedy.