BREAKING NEWS: 18-Year-Old Idaho Teen Tragically Killed by Falling Boulder While Camping
A peaceful camping trip ended in tragedy over the weekend when 18-year-old Sheldon Medford of Emmett, Idaho, was fatally crushed by a falling boulder at a popular camping area near Ahsahka.
According to local authorities and the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office, Medford had been camping with friends near the Dworshak Reservoir when a large boulder dislodged from a nearby slope and rolled into the group’s campsite around 4:45 a.m. Witnesses say the teen had been sleeping in a tent near the hillside when the boulder, estimated to weigh several hundred pounds, suddenly broke loose and struck him.
Emergency services were called immediately, but Medford was pronounced dead at the scene due to traumatic injuries. No one else in the camping party was injured.
“This appears to be a tragic accident caused by natural erosion and unstable terrain,” Sheriff Chris Goetz stated in a press briefing. “The area where the incident occurred is not an official campsite, and we urge the public to be extremely cautious when camping near rocky slopes or areas with signs of instability.”
Sheldon Medford had just graduated from high school and planned to attend Idaho State University in the fall. He was remembered by teachers and classmates as “a kind, adventurous spirit who loved the outdoors and lived life to the fullest.”
The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of unregulated camping areas and the growing risk of rockfalls in mountainous regions, particularly following heavy rains and shifting soil conditions.
A memorial service for Medford will be held this weekend in Emmett.
