Year 11 student from Melbourne’s Huntingtower School dies on camp in outback South Australia

A 17-year-old Melbourne student has died while on a school camp in outback South Australia.

The Year 11 student from Mount Waverley’s Huntingtower School died last night while at a camp at the Plumbago cattle and sheep station, near Broken Hill.

He reported feeling unwell four to five hours into the first hike of the camp yesterday. 

He was treated by paramedics but died after his conditioned worsened.

His cause of death is yet to be determined but is believed to be due to natural causes.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service was also summoned to treat the boy but he died before they could arrive. 

Huntingtower principal Sholto Bowen confirmed the student’s death in a statement today.

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the sad passing of a Year 11 student on the camp to Plumbago Station beyond Broken Hill,” Mr Bowen said.  

“Our thoughts, sympathies and prayers are with the student’s family and friends, and with the students and teachers who were on the camp.

“The camp has been cancelled and the students are returning to Huntingtower.

“Counselling is being provided for the students and staff, and the wider school community.

“We are unable to provide further information as police will prepare a report for the coroner.”

Mr Bowen said the boy was a popular student who had competed in a school swimming event on Friday.

Nearly 80 students will travel by bus back to Melbourne after the boy's death.

Huntingtower students have been travelling to the station, in South Australia’s east, for more than three decades.

South Australian police will prepare a report for the coroner. 

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