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San Angelo Man Dies at Big Bend National Park

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This story has been updated to include the identity of the victim, released by Big Bend National Park Wednesday, May 18.

37-year-old John Wayne Seale of San Angelo, Texas died last week in Big Bend National Park (BBNP) after being found unconscious.

National Park Service rangers and a Border Patrol agent responded to a call for assistance last Thursday (May 12) at the Dorgan House trailhead near the Castolon Historic District in the park’s southwestern region.

They found Seale unconscious and tried CPR multiple times but were ultimately unable to revive him. In a statement, the park said his wife and parents were there at the time, and that the incident occurred near one of the park's main roads.

The cause of death is still unknown. 

Big Bend Superintendent Cindy Ott-Jones said the park is “truly saddened” by what she called the "tragic" death, and offered her condolences to Seale's family and friends.

Travis Bubenik is All Things Considered Host and Big Bend Reporter at Marfa Public Radio.