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Father of son killed after hiking in hot weather pushes for prevention bill

Posted at 5:38 PM, May 30, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-30 23:55:49-04

A Valley family is taking action to prevent what happened to their young son.

Brian Flom wants his son's legacy to live on after he lost his son to the heat while hiking in July 2016.

"I heard he was coming in, not by ambulance but by air," Flom recalled. "You go into almost a state of shock, like, 'You're kidding me?'"

Paramedics transported the 12-year-old to Phoenix Children's Hospital.

The boy was hiking with his mother's friend on Sidewinder trail, one of the longest in the North Valley. 

On them each, two liters of water; but, that wasn't enough for a strenuous workout under the desert sun's triple digit heat. 

"I watched him expire in front of me in that room, and there are certain things you'll never unsee," Cody's father said. 

But, that isn't what he wants for Cody's legacy. He and his wife Heather have launched "Cody's Voice" to bring awareness to the trails that carrying enough water is crucial. Additionally, they're pushing a controversial state law that would ban kids under 18 from hiking in triple digit weather. 

"There's such an education that needs to take place, and it's not about taking rights," he said. 

Direct Energy is holding a water drive in honor of Cody's Voice; they're hoping to collect 1,000 water cases to be donated to the Salvation Army to help homeless in the heat. Donations can be dropped off at 1401 S. 52nd street #115 in Tempe.