American teen dies after becoming dehydrated during Negev hike
Maya Schulder, 16, tourist from Arizona traveling with Jewish camp group, collapses near Bedouin town, evacuated by IAF helicopter
An American teenager died of dehydration this weekend after falling ill during a hike in the Negev with a tourist group of teenagers traveling in Israel.
Maya Schulder, a 16-year-old tourist from Arizona, collapsed during the hike on Wednesday near the Bedouin town of Ein Akeb in the Zin Valley, a popular hiking route.
She was evacuated by an Israeli Air Force helicopter to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba where she was pronounced dead, according to Army Radio.
The report said the group had an insufficient amount of water with them amid a heat wave which saw temperatures climb to over 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) in recent days.
The group of teenagers were on a four-week Israel trip with Camp Stein, a Jewish camp operated by Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The camp posted a tribute on its Facebook page to Schulder.
On this Shabbat, we remember Maya Schulder. May her memory be a blessing. Shabbat Shalom to the entire Camp Stein Community.
Posted by Camp Daisy and Harry Stein on Friday, June 10, 2016
On Twitter, participants of the group also posted tributes to the teenager.
https://twitter.com/MickeyNavarro_/status/740975547107266560
We will continue to journey through Israel for you Maya, you inspire us to never give up. Rest in peace beautiful, you will be missed dearly
— freckles (@LaurenAltmann) June 9, 2016
Don't ever take life for granted because you never know what can happen. Tell everyone that you love them and stay positive. RIP MAYA
— Rachel Monheit (@rachelmonheit) June 9, 2016
rest in peace maya???? you had such a kind heart and will forever be missed????????
— Lauren???? (@lgelzayd) June 9, 2016