An 80-year-old man tragically lost his life after falling from a boat on the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park. The incident occurred near Fossil Rapid during a commercial river trip when the man’s boat capsized. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been disclosed at this time.
Authorities noted that this marks the fifth reported fatality at the Grand Canyon within a month and the 13th fatality so far this year. The National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting an investigation into the recent death at the Grand Canyon.
In a separate incident on July 31, a 20-year-old man from North Carolina fell to his death from the South Rim while on a mission trip with his church. The following day, a 43-year-old man from Missouri lost his life attempting a BASE jump at Yavapai Point, an activity prohibited within the park.
Later, on August 8, the body of a 20-year-old woman from New Mexico was discovered approximately 150 feet below Twin Overlooks. Tragically, last Thursday, a 33-year-old woman from Gilbert, a suburb of Phoenix, was swept away by a flash flood during a hiking trip. Her body was recovered on Sunday.
Officials at the Grand Canyon mentioned that the park typically sees around 10 to 15 deaths annually. In 2023, there were 11 reported fatalities at the park.