Tourists found dead after hike in New Mexico; child rescued

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. -- Two tourists from France have been found dead after hiking in New Mexico's White Sands National Monument, but a young boy was rescued, authorities said Thursday.

The child was found alive and treated for heat exposure Tuesday when the daytime temperature at the monument was 101 degrees, park rangers said.

Authorities didn't immediately release the names and ages of the three, their hometown in France or their relationship to one another.

Park rangers were on patrol about 1 ½ miles from the Alkali Flat trailhead when they found the woman's body about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

They said the dead man and surviving child were located about half an hour later by monument and Alamogordo emergency personnel.

The deaths are being investigated by the Otero County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico.

"There are a lot of unknowns," Otero County Sheriff Benny House told CBS affiliate KDBC in El Paso. "There could have been medication that played an effect into the deaths."

French authorities have been notified and are assisting in the case.

The White Sands National Monument, located about 16 miles southwest of Alamogordo, is known for its white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals.

Authorities recommend that visitors to the monument only take summer hikes in the early morning or early evening when the temperature is about 85 degrees because there is no shade or water along any of the trails.