Heat Wave: West Point Cadet Dies

An 18-year old West Point cadet died while participating in field drills on Thursday and the most recent heat wave might be to blame.

Jacob Bower, of West Virginia, was found unresponsive near Camp Buckner and efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. The U.S. Military Academy believes that the recent oppressive heat wave was the cause behind the death.

The official cause of death won't be known until the autopsy is completed, which will take six to eight weeks. He was found dead after participating in an exercise in which cadets walk from spot to spot using a compass.

A West Point spokeswoman acknowledged that heat played a factor but that the academy takes preventive measures.

Temperatures are pretty warm and we do have our safety conditions looked at every day, Theresa Brinkerhoff told the Associated Press, and there were some changes and modifications (to the course), which was normal.

The recent heat wave has terrorized the East Coast and Midwest, playing a role in at least 24 deaths. Temperatures hit over 100 degrees in many big cities across the country, including Boston, New York City, and Washington D.C.

As of Friday, 30 states have issued heat advisories over the past week to warn residents of possible health issues.

The National Weather Service also issued a code-red warning, which warns against staying out in the heat for any extended period of time, especially for seniors, children, and heart patients.