Boy Scout, 14, killed when tree falls on tent

A 14-year-old boy was killed when a tree crashed on his tent at a Boy Scout camp, Newton County officials said at a press conference Monday.

About 4 p.m., authorities were called to the scene to investigate a fatality at the Bert Adams Scout Camp near Covington, Newton County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jeff Alexander told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Alexander said the teenager and other Boy Scouts were headed back to the tent when heavy rains and winds picked up.

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The boys were inside when the tree fell on the 14-year-old, Alexander said. He suffered blunt force trauma to his head and chest, according to Channel 2 Action News.

The boy, who is from Texas, was at the camp for a week-long jamboree.

In a statement to Channel 2,  Atlanta Area Council Boy Scouts of America CEO Tracy Techau offered his condolences to the victim’s family in what he called a “difficult time for our Scouting family.”

“Please join us in keeping all those affected in your thoughts and prayers,” he said.

Newton County was under a thunderstorm warning at the time of the fatality, according to Channel 2. Parts of the metro Atlanta area experienced heavy rain, frequent lightning, and wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph, Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

The Atlanta Area Council said it is working closely with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office as authorities investigate the death.

The boy’s name is not being released pending next-of-kin notification.