A day after a 14-year-old died when a tree fell on his tent, a Boy Scout camp continued at a Newton County campground. Grief counselors were available for other campers and staff members, according to a spokeswoman for the Boy Scouts’ Atlanta council.
Elijah Knight of Cypress, Texas, died Monday afternoon when powerful storms swept through the metro Atlanta area. Elijah was attending Bert Adams Scout Camp, which opened in 1960 and is located near Covington, when he was killed.
Scout leaders vowed to assist Elijah’s family while also cooperating with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. Tuesday afternoon, Coroner Tommy Davis said the boy’s death had been ruled accidental.
“As you know, safety is integral to everything we do, and we place great importance on prevention and preparedness to create the most secure environment possible for our Scouts,” the Boy Scouts said in an emailed statement. “We will continue to work with our leaders to take every precaution possible to remain safe during inclement weather.”
The current camp session began Sunday with an opening night campfire, according to pictures posted on the Bert Adams Facebook page.
Investigator Jeff Alexander, a member of the Newton Sheriff’s Office for 30 years, said Elijah’s death is believed the first at the camp.
“That’s the first time anything like that has happened out here,” Alexander said.
The teenager’s death comes 11 months after a 5-year-old boy drowned while attending a Fulton County day camp.
Benjamin "Kamau" Hosch III died July 21 after being found under water at Cochran Mill Nature Center in Chattahoochee Hills. Kamau was attending Camp Cricket at the center when he disappeared. The nature center director and camp director were later indicted in the boy’s death.
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