Alaska Scout leaders die near D.C. JAMBOREE: Three men from Anchorage, one former Alaskan are electrocuted.
By KATIE PESZNECKER and LISA DEMER
Published: July 26th, 2005
Last Modified: July 26th, 2005 at 02:23 AM
Four Boy Scout leaders were killed in Virginia on Monday, the opening day of the organization's national Jamboree, when a metal tent pole they were holding hit a power line and apparently ignited the canvas tent above them, according to Scout officials and witnesses.
Officials late Monday confirmed the leaders who died are Ron Bitzer, Michael Lacroix and Michael Shibe of Anchorage and Scott Powell, who moved to Ohio last year.
A fifth Alaska Scout leader, Larry Call, and an unidentified contractor were hospitalized with injuries, according to Boy Scout officials. Call is being treated at a Virginia hospital burn unit, said his wife, Paula Call.
No children were seriously injured, but about 30 Alaska Scouts saw the accident happen some time between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. Alaska time at Fort A.P. Hill, an Army base about one hour south of the nation's capital.
Karl Holfeld, an Anchorage father, said his 15-year-old son, Taylor, witnessed the accident. Taylor was on his cell phone talking to his mother in Anchorage when the accident occurred.
Back in may we had a long time Adult Leader on the District Committee pass away. At the funeral service we had over 60 Scouts in uniform (adults and youth) then when the casket was being brought out of the church we had 10 uniformed Scouts on each side of the sidewalk that gave and held the Scout salute until the door on the hearse was closed. We also had over 45 Scouts graveside.
Thank you for linking this very informative article Kathy. Our troop has several attending the Jamboree. My heart is heavy this morning.