An 80-year-old man died in Grand Canyon National Park over the weekend after his boat flipped in the Colorado River, marking the 13th person to die in the park this year.
The man was on a commercial rapids trip Sunday and fell into the water at Fossil Rapid, according to the National Park Service.
He fell in at around 3:40 p.m., according to officials, with an emergency being reported to the National Park Service via satellite phone.
The group said CPR was already in progress as park rangers responded to the emergency.
However, efforts by the group and park rangers, who were flown in by helicopter, were not able to resuscitate him.
The National Park Service and Coconino County medical examiner are investigating the incident. The victim was not identified by officials.
An 80-year-old man died after his boat flipped in the Colorado River at Fossil Rapid.
NPS Photo/M. Graden
Several people have died in Grand Canyon National Park just in August alone. A 33-year-old woman, Chenoa Nickerson, was washed away in flash flooding was found on Sunday, the same day as the 80-year-old man died in the boating accident.
Three people died in the park on the last day of July and into the first week of August, including a 20-year-old man who fell off a scenic overlook on July 31, a BASE jumper who fell to his death on Aug. 1 and a 20-year-old female hiker who was found dead 150 feet below the rim after she entered on Aug. 3.
A park official told The Associated Press this week that about 10 to 15 people die in Grand Canyon National Park every year, with just 11 dying last year.
A tragic accident occurred during a Grand Canyon rafting trip when an 80-year-old man fell off a boat and passed away. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers that can arise during outdoor adventures, even in seemingly safe and controlled environments.
The man, whose name has not been released, was part of a group of tourists embarking on a multi-day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon. The group was navigating through the challenging rapids of the Colorado River when the accident occurred. According to reports, the man lost his balance and fell overboard, despite the efforts of his fellow passengers and the boat’s guides to rescue him.
Tragically, the man was unable to be saved and succumbed to his injuries. The incident has left his fellow passengers and the guides shaken and saddened by the loss of a member of their group.
This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety precautions when engaging in outdoor activities. While rafting trips through the Grand Canyon are a popular and thrilling adventure for many, they also come with inherent risks that must be taken seriously.
It is crucial for participants to listen to and follow the instructions of experienced guides, wear appropriate safety gear, and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Accidents can happen in an instant, and it is important to be prepared and vigilant to minimize the chances of tragedy striking.
In the wake of this incident, authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to the man’s fall and subsequent passing. The findings of this investigation may shed light on any potential safety lapses or issues that could have contributed to the accident.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man who lost his life in this tragic accident. May his memory be honored and may this serve as a reminder to all adventurers to prioritize safety above all else when embarking on outdoor excursions.
