Grand Canyon |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-2024. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
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Monday, June 30, 1986 Initial Report East Rim -- 1/2 mile east of Desert View Jct. Double fatality -- apparent homicide/suicide. Drove pickup truck 200 yds. cross country and over rim. Next of kin not notified. Follow Up Report Coconino Co. Sheriff's office investigating. Witnesses stated that vehicle crossed other lane of traffic and proceeded approx. 200 yds. cross country at same speed with no apparent attempt by operator to slow or stop. Bodies recovered from 1,000 ft. over rim.
Summary: Mr. R.E.D. and Mr. P.W.C., both Fred Harvey employees, had an altercation over a woman. Mr. P.W.C. then obtained a .357 magnum and shot Mr. R.E.D. through the throat. Park rangers arrested him, and he is now in the custody of Coconino County Sheriff's office.
Location: El Chasm Canyon Summary: Victim was member of a party on a private river trip, climbing on rocks in El Chasm Canyon. Fell approx. 30 ft and sustained severe head & neck injuries. NPS paramedics responded after being notified via ground to air radio and relay by FAA. Victim pronounced dead at 1330 hrs. Body turned over to Coconino Co. coroner.
Location: Marble Canyon Follow-up on August plane crash Park divers found Mr. D.S.'s airplane on November 10th and recovered his body from it. The body of his son has been spotted in the river, but not yet recovered. Rangers on patrol in the river are in the process of searching for it today.
Location: Hopi Point Overlook Mr. R.B.J.'s vehicle was first seen at Hopi Point on January 22nd, and was impounded the next day. His body was spotted 1000' below the overlook on January 24th by a helicopter pilot working for Mingus Construction. The body was recovered by rangers on January 25th. At present, it's unknown whether Mr. R.B.J. met his death via accident, suicide or homicide. The Coconino County sheriff's office is investigating.
Location: Rowell Road J.C. apparently lost control of his vehicle, left the roadway, and struck a tree. He was taken to Grand Canyon clinic where he was pronounced dead at 4:43pm. Next of kin notified by Coconino County Sheriff's office.
Location: Tuweap C.G. North Rim Patrol ranger noticed B.J.V.'s car left unattended for a long period of time in the Tuweap C.G. Further investigation showed a backpack with wallet, money, and food left at the campsite. A search was initiated by park personnel on 4/18. On 4/19 B.J.V.'s body was discovered 400' below the rim at a point not far from the campground. On 4/20 a ground party was able to recover the body. Accidental fall rather than suicide has been considered as cause of death.
Location: Desert View M.M.'s camper was parked between a motor home and a van caliper at Desert View. The vehicle had a gasoline leak which ignited (source of ignition unknown). M.M. sustained second degree burns over 30% of his body due to the accompanying flash fire; the other 13 people associated with the three vehicles were not hurt. All three were totally destroyed; estimated damage is between $60,000 and $70,000. The Grand Canyon's fire department responded and suppressed the fire.
Location: North Rim "Earth First" began its planned demonstration at 9 sin Monday morning, with about 300 protestors in attendance. There were no incidents in the park as of early afternoon, but there were some reports of isolated incidents of vandalism directed against logging operations in the surrounding national forests.
Although the Harmonic Convergence occurred several weeks ago, it took some time to get reports on the event from the parks which were involved in Southwestern and Western Regions due to travel and other obligations. The attached reports summarize the course of events at Chaco Canyon, Joshua Tree, Haleakala, Golden Gate and Grand Canyon. DATED: 08/26/87 Golden Gate NRA and Grand Canyon NP reported no unusual incidents other than very large crowds.
Location: near Desert View Jet R.R.M. died in a single car accident. Rangers responded but victim was dead at the scene due to multiple injuries received in the accident. Victim was the driver of a vehicle which left the roadway and collided with a tree at the side of the road. Next of kin have been notified.
Location: 4 miles SW of "The Dome" (out of park) A single-engine Cessna 207 overwing aircraft made a forced landing outside the park on Saturday the 16th. The craft, an Air Nevada flight from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon airport, was carrying seven passengers on a regularly scheduled flight when the engine failed. The pilot had 45 seconds from the time of engine failure until the start of his landing upon a 300 yard by 60 yard shelf of rock strata and mud. There were no injuries. The aircraft, although incurring only minor damage, can not take off from this site and will have to be removed, possibly by helicopter. FAA investigators were to have arrived at Grand Canyon yesterday.
Location: Vista Encantata, North Rim A single-engine Cessna 182 overwing aircraft struck the base of trees on the rim at Vista Encantata (8,400 ft. MSL), killing both persons aboard. A park visitor heard a low flying aircraft and soon after observed a fire ball that burned for about 3 minutes. The visitor did not report the incident until 6:45 am on the 18th, as he did not think there were any survivors. Upon arrival, NPS staff and Coconino County Sheriff's officers found the partially burned aircraft and two badly charred bodies. Wreckage was scattered across the Cape Royal Road. The plane was enroute from Tucson to Page, AZ and had been reported missing on the 17th. Identification at the scene belonged to pilot C.F.A. The passenger is believed to be W.F., an Episcopal minister from Tucson. The NPS, FAA and Coconino County are all participating in the investigation.
Location: East Rim Drive A one-engine fixed-wing aircraft piloted by D.C. of North Hollywood, California, experienced engine failure while flying at 10,500' en route from Denver to North Hollywood. D.C. contacted Grand Canyon tower and was advised to attempt an emergency landing on the East Rim Drive. He landed successfully, but the plane's wing struck a tree, causing considerable damage to the aircraft. One lane of the road was temporarily closed, but was to be reopened on Sunday morning. There were no injuries. FAA has been notified, and representatives were expected in the park yesterday.
Location: Coconino National Forest A.C., 23, a clerk-typist with the Engineering and Safety Services Division, WASO, was killed in a motor vehicle accident on the Coconino National Forest just outside Grand Canyon National Park. A.C. was killed when she was thrown from a jeep when it rolled on a four-wheel drive road in the National Forest. Rangers and para-medics from the park responded and found Clark dead on the scene. The driver and another passenger are currently hospitalized in serious condition with head and facial injuries. A third passenger was treated and released at the local clinic. Evidence at the scene suggests the involvement of alcohol. Coconino County Sheriffs' Department is investigating and charges are possible. A.C.'s father, W., is an interpretive planner at the Harpers Ferry Center. A funeral will be held at the Grand Canyon.
At 2 a.m. on February 1st, rangers responded to a report of a hypothermic hiker on the Bright Angel Trail about a mile and a half below the rim. Upon arriving, they found L.G., 32, of Tusayan, Arizona, lying face down in the snow and barely able to respond to questions. L.G. had been attempting an 18-mile, round-trip day hike to the Colorado River and had collapsed on the way back up. Park medics with advance life support training employed passive techniques to warm L.G., whose core temperature was initially below 90 degrees, then evacuated him by wheeled litter and helicopter at daybreak. According to reports, L.G. would not have survived without the quick response of qualified rangers. (Herb Gercke, WRO).
On February 20th, rangers in the backcountry office received a report that D.A., 34, of Flagstaff, Arizona, was overdue from a month-long solo hike from the mouth of Pearce Canyon, partially located within Lake Mead, to Fredonia, Arizona - a distance of 150 miles. D.A. had been dropped at Pearce Canyon on January 16th, and said that he would make contact in a month when he reached Fredonia. D.A. carried a 22-day supply of food with him and was known to have a great deal of experience hiking remote routes within the canyon. A search effort was begun immediately. On the afternoon of the 20th, investigators flew out to Tuweep in a helicopter to check a food cache known to belong to D.A. - one of four he had established in the park - but found nothing. The PLS (point last seen) was also investigated, and a low-level reconnaissance flight was conducted over D.A.'s intended route. An initial search area was established which ran from Pearce Canyon to the Tuweep ranger station with a southern border along the Colorado River and a northern border along the Shivwitts Plateau onto BLM land - an area encompassing about one million acres, or 1,600 square miles. This rugged portion of the park is located in the Lower Granite Gorge and is only traveled by hikers with exceptional route-finding skills. Because of the size of the area, and the fact that D.A.'s had no known itinerary, a number of additional resources were brought in. These included an NPS helicopter, trackers and hasty teams from the Mohave County Sheriff's Office, SAR teams from the Coconino County and Maricopa County Sheriff's Offices, two SAR dog teams from the Montezuma County K-9 SAR unit, two Arizona CAP aircraft, two Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopters (one with a forward-looking infrared CFLIR3 system), an Arizona National Guard helicopter, a contract helicopter, an NPS patrol boat and a total of 93 people from both outside agencies and NPS areas (Joshua Tree, Lake Mead and Albright Training Center). On February 22nd, a food cache on Muav Saddle was checked, even though it was over 50 miles from D.A.'s intended route. It was partially disturbed, and tracks were found in the snow matching the description of those belonging to D.A.. A new search area was established between Muav Saddle and Phantom Ranch, while resources to the west were demobilized. On February 23rd, tracking teams and hasty teams were flown to the search area. Tracks and campfires found within the search area confirmed that D.A. was either still moving toward Phantom Ranch or had left the search area. On the 24th, all resources were withdrawn from the field, and search activities were switched to a passive mode. At 3 p.m. that afternoon, Dirk D.A. was contacted by park employees at the Indian Garden ranger station, located five miles below the South Rim. He had covered over 200 miles on foot. During a debriefing, D.A. told park personnel that he had decided during the hike to take an entirely different route. While he was on Muav Saddle, a winter blizzard dropped two feet of snow and D.A. was forced to take shelter for 18 days in an historic cabin on the saddle. D.A. said that he was near starvation by the time he managed to struggle through the snow to reach his nearby food cache. In an effort to get out of the area, he constructed crude snowshoes from tree limbs and window screening and set out across the North Rim. After five miles of hiking, these snowshoes became heavily laden with ice and he was forced to turn around. It took him two days of struggling through waist-deep snow to get back to Muav Saddle. After two days of warm weather, D.A. decided that he was well enough to risk an exit by way of the North Bass Trail, which was covered with ice. D.A. descended from Muav Saddle on the 36th day of his trip - the same day that rangers were notified that he was overdue. As it turned out, D.A. had been moving continuously toward an exit from the canyon on the Bright Angel trail as searchers were reconstructing and following his earlier route. Although D.A. had not obtained the backcountry permit required of all overnight hikers into the Canyon, he told rangers that he was hoping to be rescued during his ordeal on Muav Saddle. Adam's failure to comply with the permit system unnecessarily complicated the search effort; he has since been issued citations for two violations, including hiking without a permit, and will appear before the US magistrate on the South Rim on March 8th. (CR, GRCA, via RAD, WRO).
A moderate earthquake shook the Grand Canyon just before 6 p.m. on March th, and was followed by an aftershock of approximately the same strength nine hours later. Neither caused any damage or injuries. The epicenter of the quakes, which registered 4.0 and 3.9, respectively, on the Richter scale, was near Grand Canyon Village. A park spokesman reported that the first quake lasted only five or six seconds. An earthquake of 3.5 on the Richter scale can cause slight damage in the local area; an earthquake with a magnitude of 4 can cause moderate damage. (Associated Press).
On Thursday afternoon, G.E., 34, of Hasbergen, Germany, was visiting Mohave Point with her husband when she became dizzy and fell over the canyon rim. Her husband called after her; when she failed to respond, he went to one of the lodges and sought help. Rangers searched the area until 9 p.m., but were unable to find her. The search was begun again with helicopters at 7 a.m. on Friday morning, and G.E.'s body was found just after 9 a.m. She had fallen 260' and was apparently killed on impact. (Cindy Wadsworth, GRCA, through Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
Just after noon on the 13th, a Japanese tour group stopped at Second Trail View on West Rim Drive. Although the tour leader advised the group of the dangers of standing near the rim, Y.N., 22 (her birthday was on the 13th), moved close to the rim to pose for a photo, lost her balance and fell backwards. She initially fell 12', then slipped over a ledge and fell an additional 340'. Rangers found her body 40 minutes later. This is the second such death in five days. On the 9th, 34-year-old G.E. of Hasbergen, Germany, fell to her death from Mohave Point. (Dispatch, GRCA, via Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
S.K.J., 21, of West Berlin, Germany, was on a river trip on the Colorado River on the 14th when his rafting party put ashore and he went for a 40-minute hike. Shortly thereafter, members of the group heard cries for help and found S.K.J. trapped in an eddy in the river. They were not able to reach him before he went under. His body has not yet been found. (Ken Miller, CR, GRCA, via CompuServe message from RAD/WRO).
On June 14th, M.H., 54, of Las Vegas, a trip leader for a commercial rafting company, was thrown from his raft after being capsized on a rock wall while attempting to negotiate Crystal Rapids. When last seen by the rafting party, he was floating downriver, apparently unharmed. M.H. apparently either drowned or succumbed to hypothermia, however; his body was recovered several miles downstream. (Ken Miller, CR, GRCA, via CompuServe message from RAD/WRO).
On July 2nd, 27-year-old A.K.G. of Fremont, California, died of heat stroke on the Kaibab Trail while hiking with a group from the rim to Phantom Ranch. (Telephone report from RAD/WRO).
On August 19th, the park initiated a large-scale search for R.H., 47, of Aurora, Colorado, when he failed to return as scheduled from an extensive hike in the inner canyon. R.H. had begun his hike on the 6th, and planned to return to Bright Angel Lodge on the evening of the 16th. The search area covers approximately 30,000 acres of the park, bordered by Bright Angel Trail, Red Canyon and the North and South Rims. The nine-agency search party currently includes about 100 searchers, three fixed-wing aircraft and four helicopters. (GRCA Dispatch, via CompuServe message from RAD/WRO).
The search for 47-year-old R.H., which began on August 19th, has been largely fruitless. There's been no sign of R.H., and only one possible clue as to bis whereabouts. On Tuesday, searchers found a canteen which may have belonged to R.H.; they are now focusing their efforts on combing the surrounding area of the inner canyon in which it was found. The park began demobilizing search operations yesterday, but will keep three dog units and a small number of ground searchers in the field at least through today. (Telephone message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
The six-day search for 47-year-old R.H. of Aurora, Colorado, was terminated on the 24th for lack of evidence. R.H. began his hike on the 6th, and was to have returned to Bright Angel Lodge by the evening of the 16th. A full-scale search was begun on the 19th. The Coconino County Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction over any future investigation of R.H.'s fate. (GRCA dispatch, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
A Grand Canyon Airlines de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter with 21 people on board crashed during its final approach to Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan (outside the park) yesterday morning, killing the pilot, co-pilot and 8 passengers. Rangers joined local authorities in the subsequent efforts to extricate the remaining passengers from the wreckage and transport them to medical facilities. According to reports, the plane was on its second flight of the day and was making a normal approach in good weather when it hit the runway, bounced back up in the air about 100 feet, veered to the left and struck a power line and some Ponderosa pines along a ridge. Although the wings sheared off, the fuselage remained intact and there was no fire. The injured were taken to Flagstaff Medical Center by air and ground ambulances. Eight of the 11 survivors were reported to be in critical condition. (Telephone report from Capt. Clayton Connor, RAD/WRO; UPI and AP reports).
A Cessna T-207 operated by Lake Powell Air Service, a commercial tour company, crashed while making a forced landing on the Tonto Plateau ten miles west of Phantom Ranch yesterday, injuring the pilot and his two passengers. The pilot, R.B., 27, of Lancaster, California, suffered a head injury and multiple broken bones, including his pelvis, jaw, ribs and ankle, and was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Flagstaff. Passengers K.D., 28, and A.R., 27, both of Germany, were treated at the Grand Canyon Clinic for, respectively, a broken arm and a broken leg and possible spinal injuries. The plane left Page around noon; approximately 30 minutes later, R.B. called the control tower at Grand Canyon Airport and reported that he had some type of unspecified problem with the aircraft. A short time later, he attempted to land the plane, which flipped onto its back after touching down. Although the crash occurred outside the corridor where tour planes are required to fly, it is thought that the plane may have strayed there because of its problems. (AP and UPI news reports).
Along with the previously reported air crash, the park experienced a number of other serious incidents on October 10th. Another air tour plane crashed at the Hualapai Reservation landing strip at Grand Canyon West. This plane, which was from Las Vegas, crashed for unknown reasons; although it flipped onto its back, neither the crew or the passengers sustained any injuries. A death which occurred near Mead View is now thought to be a homicide connected to motorcycle gangs and a methamphetamine laboratory. There's no detailed information on this incident yet, but reports will be forthcoming. Another death occurred on an inner-canyon river trip which required evacuation of the victim, and there were also three other incidents in which serious injuries required medevacs. And park ranger Albert Delagraza broke an ankle during a fall which occurred while he was on foot patrol near Tapeats Creek. At the time of the report, he was awaiting evacuation from that location. (Ken Miller, CR, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
A major search has been initiated for J.B., 41, a fisherman who was reported missing at Lee's Ferry on the 24th. Details to follow. (CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
The search for fisherman J.B. which was begun near Lee's Ferry on the 24th was terminated the same day after reports were received that J.B. had been seen drinking coffee in a nearby restaurant, then hitchhiking from the area with his fishing gear. (Telephone report from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
On October 10th, A.W.V. and a friend were reported missing when their car was discovered in the park. On November 21st, a Mohave County sheriff found A.W.V.'s body at an unspecified location on the west side of the park. The sheriff's office is currently conducting a homicide investigation into A.W.V.'s death. No further information is currently available. (CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
A.W.V. of Phoenix, Arizona, whose body was found at Mead View on November 21st, was suspected of manufacturing methamphetamines for motorcycle gangs in Phoenix. He and a companion who was also suspected of involvement in drug manufacture were reported missing in late June. A.W.V.'s vehicle was found at Mead View, and his remains were subsequently found nearby by backpackers. Because of the condition of the body, no cause of death has yet been determined. The identity of A.W.V.'s companion is still unclear, and his whereabouts are unknown. The Mohave Sheriff's Office and Phoenix PD are conducting the investigation. No additional evidence has been found at Mead View. (CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
William Holland, 53, a maintenance worker on the North Rim, died of a cardiac arrest while at work at approximately 11 a.m. yesterday morning. Park EMT's were unsuccessful in attempts to resuscitate him. (Barb Brutven, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5 p.m. EST, 1/31/90).
On January 29th, rangers initiated a search for a father and his ten-year- old daughter who were overdue from a three-day hiking trip. The pair were found on Grand View Trail the following day. The father had suffered a sprained ankle as a result of a fall. Both were taken to Grand Canyon clinic and are reported to be in satisfactory condition. (GRCA dispatch, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 11 a.m. EST, 2/9/90).
On March 19th, hikers found the remains of R.C. of Syracuse, NY, who abandoned his vehicle at Desert View on July 28, 1988 and disappeared in the park. R.C. was 41 at that time. The cause of death has been reported as suicide. No other information is available at this time. (GRCA dispatch, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, FN3/V1BO, 2:30 EST, 3/19/90).
On August 19, 1989, the park initiated a large-scale search of the Boulder Creek area for R.H., 47, of Aurora, Colorado, when he failed to return as scheduled from an extensive hike in the inner canyon. Hight had begun his hike on the 6th, and planned to return to Bright Angel Lodge on the evening of the 16th. The joint, nine-agency search which was begun shortly thereafter involved up to 100 searchers, dog units, three fixed-wing aircraft and four helicopters, but it was eventually suspended when no trace of R.H. could be found. On March 11, 1990, hikers reported to backcountry rangers that they'd found the remains of a body in the area of Boulder Creek. Rangers and a Coconino Deputy Sheriff found the body and identified it as R.H.'s. The cause of death is unknown at this time. (Ken Phillips, GRCA, via written report from GRCA, 3/22/90).
A group of Boy Scouts were on an outing to Salt Water Wash on the 23rd. One of their members, 13-year-old M.C. of Gilbert, Arizona, went with a fellow Scout to wash clothes at the river's edge. His companion turned away; when he turned back toward M.C., he found that the boy had disappeared. A preliminary investigation indicated that the victim may have slipped into the water. A search was begun employing divers from Glen Canyon, an aircraft and several ground searchers. They were unable to find M.C., but did find a piece of his clothing downstream. An active search was conducted over the weekend, and current plans are to bring in a search dog and continue the search at a lower level. (Tom Farrell, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, noon EST, 3/26/90).
At approximately 2 p.m. on April 3rd, M.S., 51, of Pueblo, Colorado, fell while climbing on chalkstone in the Royal Arch Creek drainage in a fairly remote area of the park. His companions hiked out and reported the incident. Park rangers responded and carried the victim out of the drainage; a helicopter then transported him to Grand Canyon Health Care, where he was treated for a dislocated shoulder and subsequently released. (Ken Phillips, GRCA, via telefax from Christine Lee, RAD/WRO, noon EDT, 4/4/90).
A Cessna 207 operated by Window Rock Tours crashed at the Grand Canyon Airport just after 3 p.m. on the afternoon of April 13th. There were no fatalities, but all seven of the people on board were injured. The plane apparently lost power on take-off, then crashed a mile from the field. Two of the injured have been released; the remaining five have been hospitalized, with two in intensive care at Flagstaff Medical Center. Ninety percent of the emergency personnel at the scene were park employees, including all of the medical personnel. (John Benjamin, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, FAD/WRO, noon EDT, 4/16/90).
On March 19th, a hiker found scattered human skeletal remains in the extreme southeast corner of the park, about four miles southeast of Desert View. Also found were numerous traces of burned clothing, empty charcoal fluid containers, a cigarette lighter and charred ground and plant cover. All of this evidence led to the belief that the remains were those of R.C., of Syracuse, New York, and that he had committed suicide at that spot. R.C. had left his vehicle about two and a half miles west of the location in July of 1988 and had remained unaccounted for despite two separate search efforts by rangers and sheriff's deputies. R.C. had a long history of psychiatric treatment and had left behind a journal expressing his intent to commit suicide by immolation. The remains have now been positively identified as Carey's by the Coconino County coroner's office. (Reed McCluskey, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 3:30 p.m. EDT, 5/3/90).
The body of 21-year-old R.S. of Boise, Idaho, was recovered on the 10th, four days after he fell to his death. R.S., who had worked in a park restaurant for about two months, fell several hundred feet while hiking with his roommate along the rim on the 6th. The accident occurred when he attempted to climb around an outcropping on a ledge. Park rangers searched for two days before finding his body. The recovery team was flown by helicopter into the canyon, then climbed back up to reach R.S.'s body. (United Press, 6/11).
On the afternoon of the 5th, rangers responded to a radioed "may day" from Hance Rapids on the Colorado River. A 33-foot motorized raft operated by Hatch River Expeditions, a licensed commercial outfitter, was pinned against a large boulder mid-stream in the rapids. The craft had 17 persons on board and appeared to be in great danger of capsizing. Due to the extremely swift, cold water and numerous white-water hazards downstream, there was a real possibility for catastrophic loss of life. Park rangers stabilized the boat with anchored shore ropes, and a tyrolean traverse rescue system was established. Two park rangers were hauled to the raft, where they helped transfer all passengers and crew to the shore. A technical recovery and salvage of the raft was conducted on the following morning. There were no injuries to any passengers, crew or operational personnel. The craft was subsequently repaired on scene and continued down river. (Bev Perry, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/13).
A Hatch River Expedition group on the Colorado River found the remains of a body at Mile 269 on the river on June 28th. The remains are believed to be those of M.A. of Minnesota, who disappeared in the river while attempting to swim through Diamond Rapids on June 22nd. The body has been removed and is being identified by county officials. (GRCA dispatch, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRD, 6/29).
A 38-foot, motorized "C-rig" raft overturned in Crystal Rapids on June 19th and became stuck against a rock in the center of the river. Four of the 23 persons on board became trapped under the boat. One extricated himself and signalled responding rangers that there were others still beneath the raft. Rangers employed short-haul techniques to extricate the victims with the assistance of a kayaker who was able to reach the raft. All passengers and NPS rescue personnel were safely short-hauled to shore. One of the three victims was found to be extremely hypothermic due to the water temperature. Meanwhile, rangers headed downstream on motor rigs to search for unaccounted members of the group. Within an hour, all were located within three miles of the incident. There were no fatalities; the most significant injury was a compound wrist fracture. All members of the party were transported to the South Rim and released following evaluations at the clinic. Four helicopters - including one owned by the NPS - were employed in the incident. (Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 7/23).
At about 6:30 p.m. on July 26th, F.B., 18, was in the Diamond Creek area of the park with a group of her friends when she suddenly stood up after consuming about ten beers and jumped into the river. She was swept down the river about a half mile before she disappeared under the surface. Rangers at Lake Mead were notified of the incident and a boat search was initiated. Attempts to locate F.B. proved fruitless. Further searches were scheduled at the time of the report. (Dan McGinnis, GRCA, via telefax from Mike O'Neal, RAD/WRO, 7/27).
Vice President Quayle and his family left the South Rim at 7 a.m. yesterday morning on a 10-mile hike to Phantom Ranch, where they were to board a raft to float 9 0 to 100 miles down the Colorado River. They are to arrive at Lava Falls on Sunday, where they will be flown out of the canyon by helicopter. (UP news story, 8/2 3).
Marilyn Quayle, the vice president's spouse, was thrown from her raft when it hit Lava Falls rapid last weekend. Quayle, who was wearing a life jacket, was pulled back into the raft and was not injured. Lava Falls is considered to be one of the roughest stretches of river in the park. (Associated Press reports, 8/30 and 8/31).
Just after 5 p.m. on September 21st, M.J., the trip leader for a Mbki-Mac commercial river expedition, fell nearly 50 feet while rock climbing without protection near Blacktail Canyon. Six physicians. including a neurosurgeon - who were passengers on the trip arrived at the accident site outside their camp within minutes and performed extensive life-saving efforts, but terminated them and pronounced M.J. dead at 8:45 p.m. Rangers were notified and conducted a body recovery on the 22nd. (K. Phillips, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 10/1).
A park maintenance employee discovered an unattended vehicle on West Rim Drive with a prominently displayed suicide note on the dashboard on the morning of October 26th. Rangers subsequently located the body of a 33- year-old male on a ledge about 100 feet from the vehicle. He had died several hours earlier from what appears to have been a self-inflicted gunshot wound from an assault rifle. The victim was at the edge of a 500- foot cliff and had secured the rifle to the railing with a nylon rope. He was also found to be armed with a loaded .22 caliber pistol. Investigation revealed that the victim intended to fall over the edge, but that he did not want the assault rifle to be damaged. It was also apparent that he had spent some time at the scene setting up the suicide. A worn set of soft body armor was found in his vehicle. The body was recovered by rangers and the Coconino County technical rescue team. An investigation is underway. (Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 11/5).
At about 3:00 a.m. on January 1st, South Rim rangers received a report of a sexual assault in progress at the Bright Angel Lodge. When they arrived, they found a visitor and a security officer physically restraining R.B., a 32-year-old concession employee. R.B. was taken into custody after a struggle with the rangers. A 29-year-old female visitor from England alleged that R.B. had followed her to her room after they'd met in the lodge bar, that he'd forced his way in, and that he'd then threatened her and committed several sexual assaults. She was eventually able to escape and lock herself in a shower away from the room. During processing, R.B. made repeated threats of future violence against the arresting rangers. He was booked into the Coconino County jail in Flagstaff on numerous felony and misdemeanor charges, and will be prosecuted by the county attorney. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 1/14]
The park's dispatch center received a report on February 2nd from a man who claimed that he had been kidnapped, handcuffed, and held in the back of a stolen vehicle for three days. The vehicle was spotted by rangers on the West Rim Drive shortly thereafter. A computer check revealed that the vehicle was stolen and possibly contained a shotgun and two rifles. Rangers made a felony stop and took six occupants of the vehicle into custody. Upon further investigation, rangers learned that the kidnapping report was false and that it had been made by a companion of the members of this group. Another of the adult males arrested also claimed to have been kidnapped. Four female juveniles in the group were listed in NCIC as runaways. Both males and one of the females were arrested for making false reports and for possession of stolen property. All six people in the vehicle came from Minnesota. Rangers are assisting authorities with the investigation of burglaries which occurred in that state and with charges of vehicle theft, sexual misconduct with minors and probation violations. [John Benjamin, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 2/5]
A mule string accident occurred about a half mile down the Bright Angel Trail on the morning of March 26th. Five mules being led by an NPS packer were en route to Phantom Ranch when they slipped off the trail and fell approximately 400 feet onto a section of the trail below. One survived, but the remaining four had to be destroyed due to the severity of their injuries. The packer was not injured. The cause of the accident is not known, but the packer thinks that the heavy snow on the trail might have clumped underneath the mules hoofs despite the ice shoes they were wearing, and that the packed snow could have caused them to lose their footing. The recovery operation began immediately, but was hampered by winter storms and was not completed until the 28th. [Ken Miller, CR, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 4/1]
A smoke was reported outside the park southwest of the Grandview fire tower at approximately 1:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon. The crew of a helicopter dispatched to the scene found that the smoke came from the wreckage of an Air Grand Canyon Cessna 207 tour plane which had crashed in a clear cut area in the Kaibab National Forest four miles from the south rim of the canyon. All seven persons on board an American pilot and six German and Swiss tourists were killed. Park personnel participated in the initial response, but only one NPS liaison person is currently involved in the operation. The incident is being managed by the Forest Service and by Coconino County. [Barb Brutvan, GRCA, via telefax from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 5/13; wire service reports]
Just before 2:00 a.m. on June 1st, the park dispatcher received a 911 call from a park resident who said that a man was attempting to forcibly enter her home. Four rangers responded while the reporting party stayed on line with the dispatcher; meanwhile, the man tore a screen door from the building and continued to attempt to enter the house. Rangers soon arrived and arrested an intoxicated 20-year-old male for criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and minor consumption of alcohol. Investigation revealed that the man had not mistaken the residence for his own, and that the resident neither knew him nor why he wanted to enter her home. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/5]
Just after 2:00 a.m. on June 2nd, a woman waiting for a taxi in front of Victor Hall dormitory was attacked by a man who molested her and attempted to drag her into the building. When the taxi arrived, however, he released her and fled into the building. A passing ranger patrol unit was on scene within seconds and pursued the man to his room and arrested him. The woman later said that she believed that she would have been sexually assaulted had the man not been scared away by the arriving taxi. A check on the man revealed that he had previous felony convictions, including armed robbery. An empty holster was found in his room, but no firearm was discovered. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/5]
On the afternoon of the 22nd, rangers at Phantom Ranch were notified that a motorized Tour West raft was stranded on exposed rocks in the middle of the Colorado River a quarter mile below Silver Bridge. Responding rangers found that the boat could not be moved off the rocks because of the rapidly dropping river level; due to the lateness of the hour and the risks that passengers would be exposed to during a shorebased rescue, the rangers instead decided to employ shorthaul rescue procedures. Two rangers were transported to the stranded raft to rig and brief passengers. Helicopter pilots and rescue spotters were rotated to prevent fatigue from becoming a problem. Sixteen passengers and two crew members from the raft were successfully removed from the raft and brought to the shore. None were injured. Rising waters removed the raft from the rock the next day. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 7/1]
On the night of July 3rd, rangers from the South Rim responded to a request for assistance from the Coconino County sheriff's office on an incident in a campground in Tusayan, just outside the park's southern boundary. Gunshots had been fired in the campground during an argument, and an assault had occurred. Rangers arrived at the scene shortly thereafter and radioed information on two suspect vehicles with six occupants to deputies who were still 70 miles south on I-40. The vehicles were immediately spotted and a felony stop was made on them. A loaded AR-15, a .30 caliber carbine and several .22's and edged weapons were taken from the passenger areas of the vehicles. Subsequent investigation revealed that all six subjects were wanted in connection with a homicide which had occurred in California. The six, who are apparently members of a Los Angeles gang, were in the park earlier in the day. [Cindy Wadsworth, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 7/8]
On July 6th, North Rim rangers responded to a report of a hang gliding accident at Marble View in the Kaibab National Forest. When park medical units arrived, they found Forest Service personnel employing chain saws to cut a path through thick overgrowth to gain access to the victim, D.M., 33, of Phoenix, Arizona. D.M. was found about 30 yards down a steep scree slope with only the branches of a bush preventing him from falling another 100 feet down a sheer cliff. Witnesses reported that D.M. flew a short distance after launching his hang glider, but abruptly swung back in and crashed into the slope. An initial medical assessment revealed severe hip and chest pain, several missing teeth, and a deep puncture wound to his lower right abdomen. Symptoms of volume shock and internal bleeding also began to appear. D.M. was extricated from the slope and carried to a large clearing, where an NPS helicopter responded with a park medic on board. D.M. was flown to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was assessed and then flown to a level one trauma center in Phoenix for emergency surgery. It was later learned that D.M. had a torn and leaking aorta and fractured pelvis. The attending surgeon stated that he had never seen a person with such an injury survive before, and added that D.M. was saved only through the quick response and significant medical intervention of park personnel. [Kathy Whitworth, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 7/17]
A fire broke out in a concession laundry facility on the South Rim on August 23rd. A structural engine, paramedic ambulance, tanker and support/utility vehicle from the park and a structural engine from the park concessioner arrived at the scene shortly thereafter. The 22 responding NPS and concession firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire and limit involvement to approximately 10% of the structure. Damage was also limited, but included the floor, walls, electrical outlets and propane lines. The fire apparently was caused by a gas dryer with a defect in the burner/exhaust system. The burner backdrafted and ignited the lint and ducting. [Cindy Wadsworth, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 9/3]
South Rim rangers responded to a report of a fight involving knives at the Victor Hall dormitory at 4:30 a.m. on August 22nd. The caller reported that an intoxicated 21-year-old male had brandished an opened switchblade knife and had threatened to stab and kill two subjects who he was holding at bay just inches away. Although he fled on foot when rangers arrived, he was pursued and arrested by rangers Laura Hiatt, Keith Lober and Brian Smith. The suspect was still carrying the weapons illegally concealed on his person, but offered only minimal resistance. He later pleaded guilty to charges of assault before a U.S. magistrate. [Cindy Wadsworth, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 9/3]
Rangers contacted a number of employees at a party in the Coulter Hall dormitory regarding consumption of alcohol by minors at 1:30 a.m. on August 22nd. Citations were issued and a large quantity of alcohol was voluntarily destroyed by the participants in the party. As the rangers left the building, a pregnant, 19-year-old female jumped from a second story window. She had been one of the persons who had just been cited, and reportedly decided to kill herself. She fell over 25 feet, landed on rocks and cement, and was knocked unconscious. Rangers Keith Lober and Brian Smith, both of whom are paramedics and were involved in the initial contact, provided advanced life support along with park EMT's. The woman was taken by park ambulance to the Grand Canyon clinic. Miraculously, she received only minor injuries. Since she continued to express a strong desire to kill herself, she was taken by ambulance to Flagstaff and involuntarily admitted to a mental health/crisis unit. [Cindy Wadsworth, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 9/3]
The park reports that President Bush's visit to the South Rim went well. while there, he gave a speech and traveled into the canyon on the Kaibab Trail. A wide variety of security measures and other special activities were required to manage this event. A regional special event team and additional rangers from several parks assisted the Grand Canyon staff. No incidents or problems were reported. [Ken Miller, CR, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 9/18]
On the afternoon of October 18th, South Rim rangers were called to the Grand Canyon airport to investigate a report of a shooting. Ranger Chris Pergiel was first on scene, and found a 14-year-old male with a gunshot wound in his left forearm and lower left abdomen. Pergiel detained a 16-year-old juvenile suspect and recovered the Colt .357 magnum used in the shooting. Three park paramedics and two I-EMT's began administering advanced life support measures, including two large-bore IV's, a MAST suit and a Pro-Pac monitor. A park helicopter then transported the victim to the Flagstaff Medical Center, where he is receiving treatment. Paramedic Sherrie Collins provided continued medical support during the flight. The victim, who is expected to fully recover, was shot from a distance of two feet. The suspect is believed to have been playing a game of "Russian roulette", which may have been part of a local youth gang initiation. Ranger and DARE instructor Ronnie Gibson has since spent considerable time following up on the incident with students in the park's school system. Charges of criminal endangerment are pending in the Coconino County attorney's office. [CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 10/28]
On the afternoon of September 24th, S.B., a heat stroke victim, was evacuated by park helicopter from the Tonto Trail about a quarter mile east of Salt Creek. S.B. was on a four-day backpacking trip in a remote area of the park when she became ill. The initial report received by ranger Doug Paulson at Indian Gardens was that a 54-year-old female backpacker had lost consciousness while hiking. Paulson and paramedic Nancy Mechan responded and found that S.B.'s core temperature was 104.6 degrees. She was cooled, then transported by helicopter and park ambulance to the Grand Canyon Clinic. Upon arrival, her core temperature had dropped to 100.6 degrees. She was treated at the clinic, then taken by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center. She was released the following day. Doctors credit responding personnel with saving S.B.'s life. Nine park rescue and EMS personnel were involved in the mission. [CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 10/28]
Ranger-paramedics Keith Lober and Brian Smith and ranger-EMT's Chris Pergiel and Rob Furlong responded to a report of a 70-year-old male with shortness of breath at Grandview at 4:30 a.m. on October 26th. Upon arrival, they found the man unconscious with diminished respirations and weak vital signs. Despite the initiation of advanced life support measures, the patient went into full cardiac arrest. The rangers were able to bring him back from full arrest four separate times through IV drugs and defibrillation. The victim was transported to the Grand Canyon clinic, then via helicopter to Flagstaff. Lober accompanied the victim during the flight. When they arrived in Flagstaff, the man had a strong pulse and blood pressure and was beginning to breathe on his own. He was placed in an intensive care unit and continued to improve, but subsequently went into full arrest and died. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 10/30]
On the morning of November 5th, rangers responded to multiple reports of a reckless and possibly intoxicated driver operating a pickup truck on South Rim roads. Ranger Marty McCaslin spotted the truck on Sunset Drive and stopped it. McCaslin approached the truck and asked the driver, 20-year-old N.E., to turn off the engine, but Esplann instead sped away from the scene. McCaslin and ranger Steve Stockdale pursued; additional units joined in, including the park helicopter. N.E. was operating his truck in a reckless and extremely erratic manner, using both lanes of the South Entrance Road and forcing oncoming traffic to take evasive action. Ranger Keith Lober passed N.E. and pulled in front of him in an effort to slow him down and protect other vehicles; N.E. responded by making several attempts to pass Lober, and at one point rammed Lober's patrol car in the rear. N.E. eventually passed Lober, but crashed while attempting to drive the wrong way through an open lane at the South Entrance Station, where traffic had been stopped. N.E. and his intoxicated passenger received minor injuries in the accident. N.E. was arrested and taken to the Coconino County jail, where he is being held on high bond for a variety of charges, including assault on a federal officer, felony flight, and felony DUI. The prosecution is being handled jointly by the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Coconino County attorney. Lober was commended for his efforts to shield oncoming traffic from N.E.'s vehicle. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 11/15]
D.W., 44, of Prescott, Arizona, was rafting on the Colorado River on November 18th when his raft overturned near Diamond Creek. He lost the raft and all his supplies in the accident and was left with only his shirt and shorts, a life jacket, a knife and a lighter. D.W., who had gone through survival training while in the military in 1966, built a shelter, then constructed a big "X" out of stones and kept a fire going at night in hopes that aircraft would spot it. He put hot rocks inside the shelter to keep warm during 40-degree nights. All he had for sustenance during subsequent days was a lizard, a grasshopper and a can of beer that washed ashore. A search was mounted for him, and he was spotted by a helicopter crew on November 23rd, six days after his accident. D.W. was reported to be in good condition despite breaking four teeth and suffering a puncture wound in a 25-foot fall after he was stranded. [Associated Press story, 11/24]
At approximately 2:20 p.m. on December 5th, rangers received a report of a fire and explosion at the South Rim trailer village. The park's fire engines and ambulance were dispatched and the fire was brought under control. Witnesses reported seeing a 500-square-foot fireball above the roof of the trailer which extended down the street in each direction. The trailer's 28-year-old resident was inside the explosion and caught fire; he suffered second degree burns to about ten percent of his body (face, neck and hands), but had no respiratory injuries. An EMS team began advanced life support and transported him to the park clinic. Investigation revealed that the fire and explosion occurred after the filling of a propane tank. The valve to the hose from the propane truck had been left open, thereby permitting a large volume of gas to escape for about ten seconds. The pilot from the heater in the trailer apparently ignited the propane. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 12/9]
An unknown assailant attempted to abduct an 11-year-old girl on the South Rim early on the afternoon of December 4th. The girl was within sight of the Grand Canyon school when the male suspect got out of his vehicle at the intersection of Albright and Boulder Streets, grabbed her shoulder, brandished a large knife, and threatened to kill her if she screamed. The girl was able to break free from him, however, and ran to the school. The man then fled in a vehicle described as a black, two-door "sports car" with two red, full-length stripes, a broken front grill, and dark tinted windows. Extensive interviews with the victim indicate that her account is reliable and accurate. Rangers received the report 45 minutes after the event. Despite a large-scale response, they were unable to locate the vehicle or suspect. No positive leads have since surfaced. The suspect is described as a white male, 30 years old, 5'11" - 6'1", with a solid build, blotchy dark skin, short dark hair, goatee, scraggly mustache, a deep voice, and a tatoo of women on his left forearm. A composite drawing is available. If you have any information on a similar suspect or attacks, please call ranger Chris Pergiel at 602-638-7812. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 12/9]
At about 5:00 a.m. on November 27th, a 27-year-old female concession employee was walking on Muav Court in the Coconino Apartments when she was suddenly accosted from behind by a male suspect and sexually assaulted. The attack occurred in a well-lit area and in front of numerous residences. After the attack, the man fled the area on foot. Despite an intensive investigation by rangers and Coconino sheriff's department deputies, few leads have developed, and the suspect remains unknown and at large. He may be a former concession employee from a large park area. He is described as a white male, 25 to 30 years old, 5'7", 170 to 190 pounds, with dark curly hair in a "preppie cut", chubby cheeks, a tan complexion, sunken eyes, flat nose, two to three days beard, and hairy arms. He is not the same assailant as in the incident noted above. A composite drawing of the suspect is available. If you have any information on similar attacks or a similar suspect, please contact park investigator Bill Banks at 602-638- 7804. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 12/9]
A search is underway for a Piper Navajo Chieftain with five people on board which disappeared yesterday while returning from a sightseeing flight over the park. Emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signals have been picked up from the plane indicating that it went down in a very remote area; it is not yet clear, however, whether that location is within the park. Poor weather and a cloud ceiling around 2,500 feet grounded search aircraft yesterday, so rescue teams were attempting to drive to the site. [Associated Press, 12/10]
On the afternoon of January 13th, park dispatch received a 911 call reporting uncontrolled seizures in an unconscious 17-month-old girl at a residence in the park. Rangers Brian Smith (paramedic), Ken Phillips (I-EMT), and Chris Pergiel (EMT) began advanced life support and transported the victim to the park clinic via ambulance. Initial efforts to control the seizures were unsuccessful; valium was administered en route, however, and the seizures had stopped by the time the ambulance reached the clinic. Physicians and nurses there were unable to stabilize the girl and determined that immediate transport was needed to a facility providing advanced pediatric care. Due to an outbreak of a virus affecting infants throughout Arizona, the only facility available was the hospital in Tuba City on the Navajo reservation. Ranger Tammy Luplow (paramedic) accompanied the child during the transport by helicopter to the hospital, where she was eventually stabilized. Both fever and trauma have been ruled out as possible causes of the seizures. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 1/21]
On the morning of January 31st, the Grand Canyon dispatch center received a 911 call from a park resident who reported that her home was full of smoke. Two engines - one each from the park and the concessioner - and two ambulances responded. Ranger Tammy Luplow, who was first on scene, found the occupants attempting to remove property from the building and had to enter the smoke-filled house and physically evacuate them. Firefighters searching for possible victims and for the source of the fire were hampered by a heating duct system which distributed thick smoke throughout the house. Entry teams eventually found fire in the building's insulation, the roof truss framing and the wiring around the chimney. It took about 45 minutes to get the fire under control and another two hours to complete salvage and overhaul. The residence, which is owned by the Grand Canyon school district, suffered significant damage and the cost to repair it is estimated at about $25,000. Park investigator Steven Stockdale has determined that the fire originated in loose insulation in the wall behind the firebox for the house's wood-burning stove. Wooden support beams were then ignited, and this in turn led to secondary ignition from electrical wires. [Steve Bono, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 2/10]
Ranger Chris Pergiel was called to investigate a reported theft of $110 at the Grand Canyon school on February 18th. Pergiel followed-up numerous leads, connected the theft with another open case, and eventually determined that seven burglaries had occurred in the school over a three-day period and that a total of $3,300 in cash and property had been stolen. Pergiel and ranger Steve Stockdale worked with school personnel and parents to identify two juvenile suspects, one 15 years old and the other 16 years old. Both cooperated with the rangers, and approximately $3,100 in property and 74 items of evidence were recovered. The investigators determined that the suspects had obtained keys in an initial burglary that gave them access to the entire school. The pair used two-way radios and dressed in black to avoid detection. Each was arrested, charged with seven counts of third degree burglary, and taken to the Coconino County juvenile facility. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 3/10]
On March 12th, rangers from the South Rim executed a search warrant and arrested three concession employees as part of an on-going drug investigation which began last year. The employees were charged with both possession and sales of a controlled substance, offering a controlled substance for sale, and possession of drug paraphernalia. A significant amount of packaged crystal methamphetamine and marijuana was seized. The employees who were arrested had sold both drugs to a confidential informant on numerous occasions over a two-month period. Two of the three were engaged in regular sales of controlled substances, and one has prior convictions involving methamphetamines in San Bernadino, California. Enhanced penalties and prosecution on criminal enterprise charges will be pursued. All three were booked into the Coconino County jail in Flagstaff pending appearance before the United States magistrate. Ranger Keith Lober was the case agent in the investigation. Lober developed the confidential informant from a case involving simple possession of marijuana. [Steve Bone, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 3/16]
On March 25th, park dispatch was notified that a Coleman canoe with equipment aboard had been found floating on the Colorado River three miles above Pearce Ferry near the boundary with Lake Mead. Investigation revealed that the boat belonged to four Air Force Academy cadets from Colorado who had put in at Diamond Creek with two canoes the day before. The following morning, pilot Jerry Bonner and rangers Ken Phillips and Susan Cherry conducted an aerial search of the area and located the four men, all of whom were uninjured. Two were rescued by helicopter from one shore of the river; their companions, who were on the opposite side, were picked up by a passing boat and ferried downriver. The foursome had attempted to run technically difficult whitewater with inadequate equipment and canoeing skills, had immediately become swamped in the first set of rapids they hit, and had lost one boat. After regrouping, they had decided to send the two best canoeists downriver for help in the remaining canoe. That boat hit a rock in the first rapid the pair encountered, however, and was lost. The two men aboard had been left stranded on the opposite shore from their companions. [Cindy Wadsworth, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 3/29]
Around 6 p.m. on March 19th, D.M., Jr., 27, called park dispatch from the South Rim Visitor Center; he said that he was a fugitive from justice and that he wanted to surrender. Rangers Don Miller, Kathy Korte-Drake and Ken Phillips investigated, found D.M. in possession of stolen credit cards, and arrested him. During a consent search of his campsite, the rangers found a loaded, sawed-off Mossberg pump shotgun; a loaded, shortened .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle; a large amount of ammunition; and numerous edged weapons. During several subsequent interviews, D.M. said that his original plan had been to commit suicide by initiating a shoot-out with park rangers, and added that getting into a fatal gun battle with law enforcement was "something he always wanted to do." D.M. had a large jacket and slings on the long guns which would have allowed them to have been concealed. On March 23rd, D.M. appeared in magistrate's court and pled guilty to charges of possession of illegal firearms, loaded firearms and stolen property. A computer check showed no previous criminal history. A teletype query on D.M. was transmitted nationwide; the sole response was from a police department in New York. [Steve Bone, GRCA, via CompuServe message from RAD/WRO, 4/13]
Rangers Brian Smith, Keith Lober and Kathy Korte-Drake responded to a report of a man threatening another man with an edged weapon in the concession employee dormitory on the evening of April 4th. Although the 46-year-old suspect fled the scene before the rangers arrived, he returned while they were investigating the incident and was placed under arrest. Further investigation revealed that the man, a former concession employee, had a significant criminal history, including bank robbery, robbery, felony theft, and felony assault and battery. He was taken to the Coconino County jail and booked on charges of aggravated assault. [Steve Bone, GRCA, via CompuServe message from RAD/WRO, 4/13]
Park dispatch received a 911 call just before midnight on March 19th reporting a serious accident just south of the park boundary on Highway 64. Rangers arriving on scene found that a single-vehicle accident had occurred in which the car's 39-year-old driver had been ejected. He had suffered severe head and chest injuries and was in full cardiac arrest. They provided advanced life support until the patient arrived at the park clinic, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Investigation showed that the victim had been driving his Geo Storm at about 100 miles per hour when he hit a deer. The car nearly disintegrated on impact. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash. [Steve Bone, GRCA, via CompuServe message from RAD/WRO, 4/13]
At about 11:00 p.m. on April 18th, ranger Don Miller was following a concession fire and safety officer who was transporting an intoxicated 52-year-old to his residence when the officer stopped his vehicle and advised Miller that the man had just threatened to kill him. When Miller attempted to place the man in a control hold, he suddenly spun around and struck Miller in the face with a closed fist. Miller managed to deflect most of the blow, but was hit in the left jaw. Miller's assailant was taken into custody with the assistance of the fire and safety officer, and was subsequently found to be carrying an illegally concealed edged weapon. Back-up personnel were not immediately able to assist Miller because they were responding to a call regarding a fight in progress. Miller's assailant, who was transported and booked into the Coconino County jail in Flagstaff, had been arrested by rangers two months previously. [Brian Smith, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 4/21]
At approximately 7:45 p.m. on April 30th, rangers contacted an intoxicated and disorderly 37-year-old white male in the Pub Bar who was upset about the verdict in the Rodney King case and was expressing himself with loud profanities and obscenities. He had also threatened the bartender and had refused to leave the bar. The man was cited for disorderly conduct and ordered to stay out of all bars on the South Rim for the remainder of the evening. Later that evening, rangers were dispatched to a fight in progress at the Victor Hall employee dorm in which a gun was reportedly involved. Ranger Don Miller, who was first on scene, found that the assailant was the same man who'd been involved in the bar incident. When Miller confronted him, the man attempted to assault him, but was subdued with the assistance of a number of bystanders. Backup rangers arrived and the subject was taken into custody. He continued to threaten and attempt to assault the rangers throughout booking and during transport to the county jail. Investigation revealed that the subject had confronted a black male he did not know, began shouting racial insults, and eventually grabbed the victim by the throat while threatening to kill him with a firearm. The assault and threats continued for several minutes until the victim was able to free himself. The assailant has a criminal history which includes assault. He was booked into the Coconino County jail on four charges, including assault and resisting arrest. The park law enforcement office has contacted the U.S. Attorney regarding the filing of a felony civil rights complaint. [cc:Mail message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/7]
A 23-year-old male concession employee was arrested on April 28th by rangers John Piastuck and Dan Banta following a two-day investigation of a dormitory burglary and theft. The rangers also recovered $2,100 in cash taken in the burglary. The subject was transported to the county jail in Flagstaff. This was the fifth time he'd been arrested by rangers. On April 8th, the Kolb Studio on the South Rim was burglarized. Investigation by rangers Tammy Luplow and John Hale led to the arrest of a 20-year-old concession employee. The matching of shoe prints found at the scene with the suspect's shoes was a significant aspect of the case. The subject was charged with criminal trespass and theft. [cc:Mail message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/7]
On the evening of May 3rd, rangers responded to a roll-over motor vehicle accident on a Forest Service road outside the park's south boundary. NPS medical responders found two seriously injured victims on scene. Advanced life support was begun, and a 33-year-old female and a 37-year-old male were transported by park ambulance to the Grand Canyon clinic. The female had a deteriorating head injury and internal trauma which required immediate transportation to the Flagstaff Medical Center by park helicopter. Ranger/paramedics Keith Lober and Nancy Mecham were both able to attend and treat the unstable patient in the park's newly-acquired Bell L3 Long Ranger helicopter. The previous helicopter allowed only one attendant, which caused problems when a patient was combative. The female was admitted to the hospital and placed in intensive care; the male was transported to the center by ground ambulance. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash. [cc:Mail message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/7]
Rangers and maintenance staff responded to a serious motor vehicle accident at the east boundary of the park on Highway 64 early on the afternoon of April 29th. Two vehicles had collided, and 20-year-old M.I. of Durango, Colorado, was trapped inside one of the vehicles. Ranger/EMT Joan Blais was able to reach M.I., who was breathing but unconscious, and provided basic life support for severe injuries until medics Tammy Luplow, Ken Phillips and Patti Thompson arrived via park helicopter and ambulance. A structural fire engine and extrication crew also arrived on scene, and removed M.I. from her car after a difficult 34-minute-long extrication effort. Extremely warm temperatures hampered rescue efforts. M.I. was taken to Flagstaff Medical Center; all other parties were taken to the park clinic with minor injuries. Chuck Sypher was the IC on the incident. Blais' investigation revealed that the new uni-body construction of M.I.'s vehicle, which was built to prevent complete vehicle passenger compartment collapse, had failed due to the nature of the high speed impact between the two vehicles. [Dispatch, GRCA, via cc:Mail message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/11]
A rare rock slide about two miles below the South Rim on the afternoon of May 19th killed a 33-year-old female Australian and led to the temporary closure of the Bright Angel trail. The victim died of severe injuries. The trail was to have opened to foot traffic on Wednesday and to mules yesterday or today. The victim, who had a pulse when rangers arrived, did not respond to CPR and was taken out by helicopter. [GRCA dispatch via cc:Mail message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/21]
Ranger Bill Vandergraff was injured while on a backcountry patrol along the Old Bright Angel trail north of Roaring Springs on the afternoon of May 20th. A large boulder, which weighed an estimated 200 pounds, shifted and caused Vandergraff to fall into Bright Angel Creek, then rolled onto him and pinned him in the creek. Vandergraff was alone and unable to use his radio because of water damage, but was eventually able to extricate himself and hike approximately three miles to Cottonwood Ranger Station. He was flown to the park clinic the next day and treated for muscle and ligament injuries and a mild case of hypothermia. He is doing well and is expected to recover fully. [Dispatch, GRCA, via cc:Mail message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/28]
On May 27th, rangers were notified that a 56-year-old male was missing near the railroad tracks about five miles south of Grand Canyon Village. Because of bad weather, approaching darkness and the victim's poor physical condition, a major search of the area was launched. The park helicopter, NPS and Forest Service rangers in four-wheel-drive vehicles, and NPS rangers on mountain bikes searched the area for about three hours. Rangers Chris Fors and Ronnie Gibson, who were on mountain bikes, found the victim in a relatively inaccessible area. Rangers have used mountain bikes for regular uniformed patrol since 1989 and have successfully used the bikes for searches in areas difficult to reach by vehicle. [CRO, GRCA, via cc:Mail report from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/11]
At about 1:10 a.m. on the morning of May 26th, ranger Kathy Korte-Drake observed a 35-foot-long commercial bus travelling the wrong way on Village Loop Drive. She stopped the "Green Tortoise" tour bus and contacted the driver. While talking to him, she smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage and observed symptoms of intoxication. Following an on-scene DUI investigation, the driver was placed under arrest. He was subsequently tested for blood alcohol and registered a reading of .155%. Further investigation showed that the bus, which was carrying ten passengers, had travelled approximately a half mile the wrong way on the one-way road prior to the stop. The driver was booked on charges of DUI, DUI with blood alcohol over .10%, unsafe operation, and failure as a commercial driver to maintain a log book. [CRO, GRCA, via cc:Mail report from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/11]
Rangers received a report of a missing nine-year-old boy at about 8:30 a.m. on June 5th and responded to Mather Campground to investigate. They learned that the boy had walked away from the site about a half hour previously and had not returned. Rangers searched the campground and surrounding area by vehicle, foot, horse and bike. When the child had still not been located by 2:00 p.m., search managers began aggressively escalating their response and preparing for the possibility of a night search. Personnel from every division in the park responded, and a search dog was dispatched from Lake Mead. Two additional dogs from southern Arizona that were involved in a separate operation were also used. The boy was located just after 4:00 p.m. He was extremely tired and disoriented, but otherwise unharmed, and rangers found that he'd wandered between 10 and 15 miles during the eight hours he was lost. [CRO, GRCA, via cc:Mail report from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/11]
Over 300 law enforcement officers, including rangers from throughout the area and about 100 FBI agents, are currently engaged in a massive search on the South Rim for D.H., an escaped felon who kidnapped two people and brought them to the park, then fired shots at rangers following an unsuccessful effort to take two more people hostage. D.H., who was serving multiple life sentences in an Arizona prison for burglary, armed robbery, kidnapping and assault and is wanted in California for a mutilation homicide, escaped from jail early this month. An unsuccessful manhunt for him had been underway for three weeks when he kidnapped a young man and woman - business partners from Phoenix - in Flagstaff on Thursday, June 25th, and drove them to the park. D.H. took them to the El Tovar and held them there through the night, but did not assault or otherwise harm either of them. On Friday morning, he took them to Babbitt's store and used their credit cards to buy over $2,000 in camping equipment. According to the hostages, who were later released, D.H. then intended to find a couple with kids and a motor home, take them hostage, and demand a million dollars ransom and freedom for a brother being held in prison in California. He came upon a couple with a motor home in Babbitt's parking lot, drew a .44 magnum, and attempted to kidnap them. The two people fled in separate directions. Dispatch soon received a report of a man with a gun in the parking lot; seasonal ranger Donnie Miller responded. When Miller arrived, he saw D.H. attempting to leave the lot and pursued him. D.H. fired one shot at Miller, but did not hit him. Two more rangers joined the pursuit and chased D.H. to the West Rim Drive. D.H. drove through the gate which bars automotive traffic on the drive during the summer, smashing the vehicle's windshield in the process. He then fired two more shots at rangers through the car's rear window, shattering it and spraying the hostages in the back seat with glass. D.H. finally abandoned the car at Hopi Point and fled on foot, leaving the uninjured hostages behind. The park immediately began a search for D.H.. Rangers were brought in from Bryce Canyon, Glen Canyon, Lake Mead, Zion, Joshua Tree, Walnut Canyon, Wupatki and Sunset Crater; they were joined by about 200 officers from the FBI, county sheriff's office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona prison system, Forest Service and Border Patrol. Four helicopters and three search dog teams were also brought in. The West Rim Drive was closed, as was one of the air tour routes over the park. Roadblocks were placed on all access roads; visitors coming into the park were apprised of the situation, and those leaving had their vehicles checked. The FBI summoned an additional 40 agents from Quantico and an FBI SWAT team, and brought in sophisticated detection equipment. Two ten-person Western Region special event teams were also sent to the park. As of 4:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon, there were 300 people involved in the search, which is being run under the incident command system with the chief ranger as incident commander. Searchers believe they found the cave where D.H. spent Saturday night, and suspect that he may have attempted to take hostages at the Maswick Lodge. Guests in a room there reported that someone knocked on their door during the night; when rangers were summoned, however, the person fled. D.H. has proved to be quite elusive. He can travel at a pace of five miles per hour for extended periods of time, and is known to be skilled in evasion. Searchers have found that he has used complex maneuvers to shake off dogs and trackers. He's also changed his appearance since escaping prison by shaving his moustache and bleaching his hair. The search is focused to the south and west of Grand Canyon Village, and officers are making a concerted effort to keep him out of residential and other inhabited areas. Last night, a coordinated search was conducted involving a high-altitude, infra-red equipped aircraft, two helicopters and 100 FBI agents. As of 4:00 a.m. this morning, however, they had not found him. Efforts today will focus on searches of the perimeter of the park's residential area with dog teams in an effort to pick up scent leads. [Ken Miller, CR, GRCA, and Phil Ward, RCR, RAD/WRO, 6/27, 6/28 and 6/29]
At 6:20 p.m. yesterday evening, D.H. reappeared at a picnic area between Grandview Point and Moran Point on the East Rim Drive, about 14 miles east of Grand Canyon Village, approached two foreign visitors with a gun drawn, and attempted to take them hostage. When they refused to go with him, he drove off in their vehicle, heading westbound on the drive. The victims were taken by other visitors to the village, where they flagged down a ranger and reported what had happened. The report came no more than 15 minutes after the incident. Since the possibility of his stealing another car had been anticipated, the law enforcement agencies involved in the search for D.H. immediately activated plans to block all area roads and had units in place within minutes. The vehicle was spotted on the Kaibab National Forest east of Tusayan, which is on the park's south boundary about ten miles from Grand Canyon Village. A 600-square-mile search area has been established, and efforts are currently underway to locate the vehicle. Two more NPS SET teams will be mobilized from Rocky Mountain Region this morning and sent to the park. According to news reports, D.H. escaped from the state prison in Florence, 50 miles from Phoenix, on May 12th, disguised in a lab coat. Authorities have been pursuing him since that time. Because of his elusiveness, some media reports are characterizing D.H. as a "Rambo" type figure. [Ken Phillips, IC team, GRCA, 6/30, and AP report, 6/29]
A 28-year-old male fell 100 feet to his death while rock hopping at Francois Matthes Point on the park's North Rim on June 25th. The unidentified man was the leader of a commercial bicycling tour group out of Moab, Utah. The reporting party had to ride for 45 minutes to reach a paved road. [Chuck Dorn, GRCA, 6/26]
The search for D.H. continues. The vehicle that he stole from two foreign visitors on East Rim Drive on Monday was found yesterday near Grandview Point, about two miles west of the picnic area from which it was taken (the reported sighting of the vehicle in the Kaibab National Forest yesterday was erroneous). D.H. took a number of items from the vehicle, including water bottles, clothes, money, flashlights, a duffle bag and a sleeping bag. Dog teams were brought to the location and tracked D.H. as far as Yaki Point, just over four miles west of Grandview Point, before losing the scent. Around noon, searchers received a reliable report that D.H. had been seen near the Yavapai Museum west of Yaki Point. No further clues or reports have been received since that time. At this point, the search area extends from Desert View to Grand Canyon Village and south from those points into the Kaibab National Forest. As of this morning, there are 321 people involved in the search, including 175 law enforcement officers. Four special event teams, two each from Western and Rocky Mountain Regions, have been sent to the park along with rangers from twelve parks. Six helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft are being utilized by searchers. [Ken Phillips, IC team, GRCA, 7/1]
Park staff and representatives from agencies involved in the search for D.H. met yesterday morning to determine whether or not the park should be closed until D.H. is found. They decided against such action because there would still be many residents in the area even if visitors were barred from entry, thereby negating any advantages gained by a closure. The East Rim Drive was closed from Grand Canyon Village to Desert View, however, so a thorough search of that area could be made. Roadblocks on access roads to Grand Canyon are causing delays of up to four hours in entering the park. Along with search efforts, investigators have been kept very busy following up reported sightings and other leads - none of them yet fruitful. Meanwhile, more information has appeared in news stories about D.H.. According to United Press, the gun D.H. used in the bank robbery which landed him in prison had been taken from the home of a fish farmer in Stockton, California, in 1990. The farmer was shot in the head, dismembered and dumped in a river delta; D.H. is suspected of the murder. After D.H. left Stockton, he traveled through the Pacific Northwest and eventually got a job on an Alaska crab boat using his brother's name. He got into an argument with the captain of the boat and threatened to kill him. The captain put D.H. off the boat about two and a half hours before it sank, killing the captain and five crewmen. D.H. was never charged in connection with the sinking. Media interest has grown considerably over the past day or so; at present, crews from the television shows "48 Hours", "A Current Affair", and "America's Most Wanted" are en route to the park to film stories on the search. Nearly 400 people are involved in the search at present, including 170 NPS employees. [Ken Phillips, IC team, GRCA, 7/2; UPI news story, 7/2]
The search for D.H. focused on Grand Canyon Village yesterday evening. All inbound and outbound traffic was stopped from 8:00 to 10:30 p.m. while dogs and a SWAT team followed an active trail throughout the village. Although D.H. was not found, a videotape made at about the same time by a park visitor confirmed that he was in the area. While filming at Mather Point at 7:30 p.m., the visitor noted that one of the people in the scene matched D.H.'s description and brought the tape in to searchers. The Winslow, Arizona, police officer who arrested D.H. for the bank robbery that put him in prison confirmed that he was the person in the tape. D.H.'s appearance has changed markedly since he was last seen. He had completely new but ill-fitting clothing on, was wearing a hat and sunglasses, and appeared to have a gun under his shirt. He was also carrying an identifiable style of canteen which may help searchers find him. When filmed, D.H. appeared to be panhandling visitors. Efforts today will focus on containing and confining the search area and on undercover searches for D.H.. Meanwhile, clarification has been provided on the events accompanying the original contact with D.H. in the parking lot of Babbitt's store. Ranger Don Miller received the first report of D.H. from the son of the man D.H. was attempting to kidnap, not from dispatch. Miller was on routine patrol when the boy approached him and said that a man was holding a gun on his father. Miller drove up to the scene slowly. When D.H. saw the marked unit, he pointed his gun at Miller, who ducked down; as he did so, D.H. jumped into his vehicle and fled with the first two hostages. While this was going on, rangers John Piastuck and Chris Fors were responding to assist Miller. As Fors approached the scene, D.H. went by him, stuck his weapon out the car's window, and fired at least one round at Fors from no more than five feet away - loud enough, Fors later reported, to make his ears ring. The round hit neither Fors nor his vehicle. Ranger Keith Lober then joined the pursuit, and the four rangers chased D.H. onto West Rim Drive. D.H. brandished his weapon out the car's window during the pursuit and fired at least two rounds at the following rangers. D.H. apparently did not know that the drive is a dead end road, and had to abandon his vehicle when he ran out of highway. [Ken Phillips and Brian Smith, ICS team, GRCA, 7/3]
On August 5th, ranger paramedic Nancy Mecham and IEMT Ken Phillips responded by helicopter to a report of a medical emergency at Crystal Rapids in which the victim had broken his neck. Upon arrival, they found 41-year-old D.L. paralyzed from the neck down. D.L. had dived head first into the recover a water bottle, had hit his head on rock just two feet below the surface, and had instantly been paralyzed. He was able to hold his breath while he sank below the water. His brother saw him floating below the water and pulled him out. There was a nearly two-hour delay in reporting the incident because of the remote location of the incident. The two rangers provided full C-spine protection, placed him on a heart monitor, and administered an IV and oxygen. D.L. was medevaced to Flagstaff hospital, where x-rays indicated that he'd suffered a C-4 fracture. D.L. underwent spinal fusion surgery and has regained some use and feeling in his extremities. Doctors are hoping for a possible 80% recovery. [Chris Pergiel, GRCA, 8/11]
Ranger Bryan Wisher was patrolling the Bright Angel trail near a series of steep switchbacks known as the Devil's Corkscrew late on the afternoon of August 16th when a passing hiker reported a possible heat stroke victim further down the trail. Wisher ran to the scene, where he found an unconscious 26-year-old male, later identified as R.Y., collapsed in the middle of the trail. R.Y. was on the return half of an 18-mile day hike from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch at the time of the incident; the inner canyon high temperature for that day was 112 degrees. Wisher immediately began cooling the patient and reported a rectal temperature that was off the scale at 108 degrees. ALS medics and a litter team responded from Phantom Ranch by foot and from the South Rim by helicopter. Advanced life support measures were initiated and R.Y. was moved by litter to a helispot about a mile up the trail. Wind conditions precluded a short-haul rescue. R.Y. did not regain consciousness during the evacuation, but his temperature was lowered to 97.5 degrees by the time he was loaded into the helicopter. He remains in critical condition. [Dispatch, GRCA, 8/19]
On the morning of August 17th, W.J., 24, and M.E., 26, were to meet up with a friend either at the park's backcountry office or somewhere along the Hermit Rapids trail for a three-day backpacking trip through the canyon. The pair failed to show up at either rendezvous, so their friend hiked out alone. When they both failed to show up at work the following Monday morning, August 24th, they were reported missing. Their car was found in the park at the bypass lot on Village Loop Drive the next day, and an air and ground search was subsequently begun. During the search, it was learned that the couple had been seen by other hikers on the Tonto trail near Monument Creek on August 18th. On August 26th, searchers found clothing and personal articles along the Tonto trail and in the Horn Creek area, and the bodies of the two hikers were found later that afternoon in the Horn Creek drainage. Technical climbing techniques were required to recover the bodies. It's not known at present whether the deaths were due to a fall or to heat. [Ken Phillips, CR, GRCA, 8/27]
Just before sunset on Monday, August 24th, the pilot of a tour plane operated by Air Grand Canyon called the tower at Grand Canyon Airport to report that the plane had lost power and that he was going to attempt an emergency landing on the North Rim. The pilot successfully landed the Cessna 207 on the Point Imperial fire road west of the North Rim developed area. There were no injuries to the six passengers or the pilot. The plane's occupants were evacuated from the scene by park personnel. The plane remains at the site of the landing. No determination has yet been made on how it will be removed. [Barb Brutvan, GRCA, 8/25]
Rangers concluded a six-week-long investigation and undercover operation on August 21st with the execution of 11 arrest warrants and seven search warrants for drug-related offenses at the South Rim and in the adjoining community of Tusayan. A ranger had secured a position with the Fred Harvey Company at Grand Canyon to establish credibility as a concession employee and was subsequently able to gain access to an inner circle of drug users. Connections were made with distributors which led to multiple purchases of various controlled substances. Warrants generated from the operation led to the establishment of an ICS operation for their execution. The rangers seized quantities of marijuana, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine, and also recovered paraphernalia and NPS buy money. The subjects were transported and booked into the Coconino County jail in Flagstaff. Thirty-one charges have been filed against them on a variety of drug-related offenses. Assistance was provided by the Northern Arizona METRO narcotic's division, the Federal Probation Office, the Coconino Coutny sheriff's office, and the U.S. attorney's office. The investigation is continuing and further charges are pending. [Steve Bone, GRCA, 8/28]
A flash flood on Bright Angel Creek at about 7 p.m. on September 15th struck the Cottonwood backcountry campground, which was occupied by 27 people at the time. No injuries occurred, but some visitors lost property in the flood. The campground toilets were damaged, six campsites were washed away, and six others were damaged. Park personnel were flown to the campground to clean the area and pick up eight campers who lost sufficient equipment to preclude their hiking out. Four campsites will likely be back in service today. The trail in the immediate vicinity of the campground was washed out, but adequate detours around the area are available. The trail to Phantom Ranch below Cottonwood has mud several inches deep in places but is passable. The storm which caused the flood dropped nearly two inches of rain on the North Rim Tuesday night, most of it falling within a period of 45 minutes. A smaller amount of rain on the South Rim caused a failure in the park's centralized telephone system. As of yesterday afternoon, only two NPS phone lines to the park were available - 602-638-2477 and 2488. [Chuck Sypher, GRCA, 9/16]
Park dispatch received a 911 call from the Maswik Lodge at 5:20 a.m. on September 20th regarding a 63-year-old male who had stopped breathing. CPR was begun by a family member, and continued by Fred Harvey firefighter Vernon Wadsworth. Rangers Kathy Korte, Tammy Luplow and Brian Smith arrived in the park ambulance and began advanced life support. The patient was successfully defibrillated and his cardiac rhythm, pulse, blood pressure and respirations were restored. He spontaneously resumed movement while being taken to the park clinic, and was later transported to a hospital in Flagstaff, where he remains in stable condition in the intensive care unit. [Steve Bone, GRCA, 9/22]
A two vehicle, head-on collision which occurred on East Rim Drive on September 10th injured seven people, three of them seriously. Ranger-paramedics, a nurse from Grand Canyon Clinic, and NPS I-EMTs and EMTs stabilized and transported the victims, one of whom was trapped in a vehicle for an hour and a half before being extricated. Five of the injured were taken to the clinic, and the remaining two were flown directly to the Flagstaff Medical Center by two helicopters. The accident is under investigation. [Dispatch, GRCA, 9/22]
A 60-year-old male and 61-year-old female were crossing the South Entrance Road at a crosswalk near the visitor center at 7:30 p.m. on September 26th when they were struck by a vehicle traveling between 25 and 30 mph. The car traveled another 30 feet before stopping. The two victims suffered major injuries, including multiple fractures and head injuries. Rangers responded in two NPS ambulance and provided advanced life support. Both patients were flown directly from the park to Phoenix by fixed wing aircraft. The accident is still under investigation. [Dispatch, GRCA, 10/1]
Dave Karraker, 64, the superintendent of Albright Employee Development Center, died suddenly after a volleyball game with students from a ranger skills class on Wednesday evening. The cause of death has not yet been determined. Details will follow in future morning reports. [Flip Hagood, EDD/WASO, 10/15]
There will be a memorial service for Dave Karraker, superintendent of Albright Employee Development Center, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 23rd, at the park's Shrine of the Ages Chapel. The service will be followed by interment of the ashes in the Grand Canyon cemetery and a luncheon at the Shrine immediately thereafter. The family asks that contributions (in lieu of flowers) be made to the "David Karraker Memorial Scholarship Fund" at Grand Canyon High School or to the Employee and Alumni Association. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, please make your check out to the fund and send them care of Marianne Karraker, PO Box 164, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023, or to Albright Employee Development Center, PO Box 477, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. Dave had been in the Service for over 40 years, and had spent the last two decades as, successively, superintendent of Mather and Albright Employee Development Centers. [Flip Hagood, EDD/WASO; Ann Baugh, AEDC/WASO, 10/19]
There will be a memorial service for Dave Karraker, superintendent of Albright Employee Development Center, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 23rd, at the park's Shrine of the Ages Chapel. The service will be followed by interment of the ashes in the Grand Canyon cemetery and a luncheon at the Shrine immediately thereafter. The family asks that contributions (in lieu of flowers) be made to the "David Karraker Memorial Scholarship Fund" at Grand Canyon High School or to the Employee and Alumni Association. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, please make your check out to the fund and send them care of Marianne Karraker, PO Box 164, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023, or to Albright Employee Development Center, PO Box 477, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. Dave had been in the Service for over 40 years, and had spent the last two decades as, successively, superintendent of Mather and Albright Employee Development Centers. [Flip Hagood, EDD/WASO; Ann Baugh, AEDC/WASO, 10/19]
An unattended car was noted by patrol rangers at No-Name Point on East Rim Drive on several occasions last week, and its license number was eventually checked through NCIC. The report that came back said it was stolen, but the ranger who contacted the registered owner in Florida found that the woman's son, B.C., had disappeared with the car in the first week of October. Rangers then entered the car, found a suicide note, and began a search of the area for B.C.. His body was found on October 17th. Its believed that he died from either a jump or a fall. The investigation is continuing with the assistance of Coconino County officials. [Terrill Gibbons, GRCA, 10/19]
Near sunset on November 11th, rangers were advised that 38-year-old G.G. was overdue from a short hike with family members along the Rim Trail from El Tovar Lodge to the Yavapai Museum. When last seen by his daughter, G.G. was feigning falling off the rim by jumping down to a ledge out of sight below the cliff edge. She assumed he would rejoin the group shortly but did not do so. Rangers employed portable searchlights in an intensive search of the trail that night. Lima 40, a night-vision/ infrared capable Customs helicopter, responded from Tucson and assisted in the operation. Spotters in the helicopter located G.G.'s body 400 feet below the point last seen at 5:30 a.m. Rangers Tim Reid, Dan Kirschner and Kent Keller rappelled down at sunrise and conducted a recovery operation with the assistance of the park helicopter. [Dispatch, GRCA, 12/1]
The park received a report of a motor vehicle accident on West Rim Drive on the afternoon of January 5th. The responding ranger found an unoccupied Chevrolet Suburban stuck on a boulder at the Abyss overlook, and indications were that the driver had attempted to drive it over the rim. The park helicopter was immediately launched and soon found the body of P.L., 38, about 200 feet below the rim and a quarter mile from the accident scene. Two days of intense winter weather delayed the body recovery. On January 8th, a sudden break in the weather permitted members of the park technical rescue team to rappel down to the victim. Rescue personnel were aided by helicopter pilot Jerry Bonner, who demonstrated extraordinary skill in extracting the body via long-line from below the rim in variable wind conditions. Investigators subsequently determined that P.L. had recently been divorced and had left home with her possessions. They also learned that P.L. had become obsessed by the movie "Thelma and Louise", which has a finale depicting the female characters driving their vehicle into the Grand Canyon (actually filmed at Dead Horse Point near Canyonlands). One other attempted suicide at Grand Canyon last year also involved a woman who had become interested in the film. [Ken Phillips, CR, GRCA, 1/12]
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on February 20th, US West Communications employee F.C.F. collapsed while returning to his snowmobile after working on a power outage about a half mile from East Rim Drive. F.C.F. was found unconscious and lying face down in the snow by Arizona Public Service workers, who contacted park dispatch. Rangers responded and treated F.C.F. as a victim of full cardiac arrest. He was pronounced dead at the park clinic just after 11 p.m. [Dan Kirschner, GRCA, 2/22]
Following a visitor complaint about an improper fee collection transaction in the fall of 1992, rangers conducted audits of campers visiting Mather Campground and determined that there was potential for theft of camping fees. Further investigation and subsequent covert operations by law enforcement personnel revealed that several employees of MISTIX, Inc., then the campground fee collection contractor, had embezzled from $25 to $200 in camping fees each day between June and November. The exact total could not be determined, but it's estimated that from $3,000 to $30,000 was taken. Investigators determined that the embezzlement began as an effort to maintain a "slush fund" to cover shortages due to change-making errors, but that it gradually expanded far beyond that. Ten separate methods were employed to embezzle funds - some specifically related to the MISTIX operation, but others that could have occurred in an NPS-staffed operation. Three employees admitted to having knowledge of the other employees' involvement in the thefts, thereby establishing that conspiracy had existed. A large percentage of the thefts can be attributed to the fact that the on- site supervisor did not enforce accountability procedures. A total of seven employees were charged with theft of fee collection monies. Following plea agreements, four were found guilty of theft and paid fines from $500 to $1,000 and were each placed on a year's probation. Incarceration time was suspended pending successful completion of probation. Three cases are still in magistrate's court. Contact Dan Kirschner or Steve Bone at Grand Canyon for further information on this case. [Ken Miller, CR, GRCA, 3/3]
D.R.H., the escaped murderer and bank robber who was the subject of the large-scale manhunt in the park last summer, is scheduled to go on trial in Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff on April 22nd on a multitude of felony charges, including the attempted murder of four NPS rangers and an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer. The four rangers - Don Miller, Keith Lober, Chris Fors and John Piastuck - recently received commendations and cash awards from superintendent Bob Chandler for their actions during the initial pursuit and search for D.R.H. The four rangers thwarted an attempted kidnapping of a family of five and rescued two other hostages D.R.H. had held for nearly two days. Chandler had this to say at the award ceremony: "Their quick actions and excellent tactics while facing gunfire averted what could have been a major human tragedy at Grand Canyon." [Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 3/25]
Ranger Kathy Korte was in the process of making a traffic stop on the evening of March 18th when a 25-year-old woman drove up and told Korte that she needed immediate help. When Korte approached the woman's vehicle, she found that the driver had a 30/30 rifle between her legs, with the barrel pointed at her chest. The driver told Korte that she was attempting to commit suicide, but could not go through with the plan. Korte disarmed the female and placed her in protective custody. Examination of the rifle revealed a chambered round and the safety in the off position. Upon interviewing the woman, who lives in New Jersey, rangers found that she had a history of previous suicide attempts and had planned for several weeks to shoot herself in the park. Korte reported that she'd seen the woman seated behind the wheel of her parked vehicle during an earlier patrol of East Rim Drive. The woman was placed on a mental health hold and transported by rangers to a facility in Flagstaff. [Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 3/25]
On the morning of March 6th, officers from the Northern Arizona Metro crime task force contacted rangers and asked them to stop a bus and identify a 38- year-old male travelling on it to the South Rim. Fifteen minutes later, rangers Keith Lober and Brian Smith contacted an individual matching the man's description, who gave a different name than he'd given Flagstaff police officers two hours earlier. Subsequent investigation revealed that he'd attempted to elude surveillance by Metro and Flagstaff officers by fleeing to the park. The man was placed under arrest for providing false information to a law enforcement officer. A search of the man's luggage incident to arrest led to the discovery of a six inch by four inch brick of cocaine worth between $15,000 and $20,000. The cocaine was wrapped in plastic and cayenne pepper. The man had been transporting the cocaine across country via an Amtrak train before being stopped in Flagstaff. Criminal charges are pending for possession and interstate transportation of cocaine. [Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 3/25]
While her husband was setting up a tripod for a picture at Horse Shoe Mesa on April 11th, D.S., who was not paying attention to her surroundings, walked backwards over the canyon rim and fell to her death. [Bill Banks, GRCA, 4/12]
Further information has been received regarding the falling accident in which 57-year-old D.S. was killed. Donna and her husband Bob were hiking above Page Spring (formerly Miner Spring) near Horseshoe Mesa when they stopped to take a photograph at a switchback along the steep trail. As B.S. was setting up a camera tripod with his back to his wife, he heard a faint noise and turned to find that his wife had fallen off the trail. Although she fell 140 feet, he was able to reach her and determine that she had been killed in the fall. B.S. then hiked out of the canyon and reported the accident at the backcountry office. An aircraft recovery operation was not feasible due to high winds, so rangers Nick Herring and Carly Lober hiked into the site to conduct an investigation and provide scene security overnight. The body was recovered the following morning with the assistance of the park helicopter. Initial investigation indicates that Donna had been prescribed Meclizine for vertigo and had been feeling dizzy for a few days prior to the accident. [Ken Phillips, CR, WRO, 4/14]
Follow-up reports regarding the magnitude 5.5 earthquake which shook northern Arizona last Thursday have been received from Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater, Wupatki and Walnut Canyon. No damage occurred at any of the four areas. Rangers at Grand Canyon, however, responded to two quake-related EMS incidents, one of which required provision of advanced life support measures. Both calls were attributed to the patients' profound responses to the earthquake. Each of the victims was taken to the park clinic. The seismograph at Sunset Crater produced good records of both that quake and the 4.8 quake which preceded it on April 25th. Indications are that the quakes had epicenters within a mile of each other and that they were on the Cataract Creek fault 25 miles south of Grand Canyon Village. Thursday's quake was the largest at Grand Canyon in 34 years. [Kim Watson, CR, SUCR/WUPA,WACA, and CRO, GRCA, 4/30]
On May 8th, rangers responded to a report of a vehicle over the rim on West
Rim Drive at Hopi Point. Ranger Kathy Korte arrived first and found a 1993
While hiking in Tanner Canyon with three companions on May 13th, D.C., 21, was struck in the head by lightning. Although his friends performed CPR for 45 minutes, they were unable to revive him. [Kimberly Spaulding, GRCA, 5/14]
Just before 3 a.m. on May 24th, park dispatch received a 911 call reporting a subject not breathing in front of a bar in Tusayan, just outside the park's boundary. Ranger/paramedic Keith Lober responded and found a 30- year-old male shot through the head in his vehicle. Lober began advanced cardiac life support; ranger/paramedics Brian Smith and Nancy Mecham and ranger/IEMT Kent Mecham assisted and subsequently transported the victim to the park clinic, where he was later pronounced dead. Ranger John Piastuck and investigator Dave Swickard detained a possible suspect/material witness and assisted Coconino deputies in securing the crime scene and beginning an investigation. The investigation to date indicates a likely suicide, but under questionable circumstances. [Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 6/11]
On June 9th, dispatch received a report from a helicopter tour operator stating that a commercial river raft was stranded in the middle of the river below Crystal Rapids. Rangers responded by park helicopter and found 17 uninjured persons aboard a Diamond River Adventures motor rig stranded against large boulders in an area known as "The Island". A short haul operation was immediately begun to extract the passengers while a second helicopter shuttled additional rescue personnel to the scene. All 17 people were successfully removed from the raft and bivouacked nearby for the night with a second Diamond River Adventures raft. Rangers learned that the operator of the first raft had struck its outboard engine against a submerged rock while negotiating the rapids and had drifted into the rocks. Rescue personnel returned to the scene the following morning and began a salvage operation to remove the raft. Due to the distance and river flow, a shore-based operation was dropped in favor of using come-alongs on the raft itself. Rangers Jim Traub and Dave Desrosier and the trip leader reached the raft by boogie board and inflatable kayak. One end of the raft was winched toward its other tend, allowing it to float free. River flow at the time of the incident was slightly below 10,000 cfs. [Ken Phillips, GRCA, 6/15]
Late on the morning of June 26th, visitors reported hearing cries for help near the South Kaibab trailhead. Ranger David Trevino responded and found 50-year-old M.C. of Costa Mesa, California, calling for help from a point about 50 vertical feet below the canyon rim. Rangers Trevino, David Brennan and Bill Reynolds descended to M.C. and found her suffering from severe dehydration after spending six days at this location with no food or water. M.C. told rangers that she'd been chosen to go to this spot and deliver a religious message as part of her on-going 15-year-long crusade. The rangers provided advanced life support, evacuated her by a technical litter raising, and transported her to Grand Canyon Medical Clinic for treatment. She was to undergo psychiatric evaluation after her release from the clinic. Ranger Kent Keller was incident commander; 16 others participated in the rescue. [David Brennan, GRCA, 6/29]
Ranger Brian Furbush attempted to stop a vehicle traveling 65 mph in a posted 45 mph zone on East Rim Drive at 9:50 pm on June 26th. The vehicle continued on for five miles, pulled into a gas station, then headed east on the drive at a high rate of speed. Rangers Joan Blais, Chris Fors and John Piastuck responded to assist Furbush. During the pursuit, the vehicle stopped once, backed up, then resumed its eastbound course; it accelerated to speeds as high as 85 mph, used both lanes and flashed its high beams in an attempt to get traffic out of the way. Many other vehicles were forced off the roadway. The pursuit covered about 40 miles before a felony car stop was made in Cameron, Arizona. Navajo and Arizona DPS officers assisted along with a DPS helicopter. DPS officers had planned to deploy road spikes on U.S. Highway 89 to terminate the pursuit if the driver hadn't stopped when he did. The driver turned out to be a British national; motives for his attempt to flee are not completely known. He was booked into the county jail in Flagstaff on felony charges of unlawful flight and misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and excessive speed. Prosecution is being handled by the U.S. attorney. [Dispatch, GRCA, 6/29]
Rangers David Brennan and Nancy Mecham responded to a park concession employee dormitory on June 26th to investigate a reported rape of a 21-year- old female concession employee. The victim told rangers that she had been kidnapped and raped at knifepoint shortly after midnight in Flagstaff, Arizona. Through extensive interviews with the victim, Mecham was able to assist Flagstaff police detectives in creating a composite drawing of the suspect, locating the crime scene, and developing numerous investigative leads. Coconino County deputies also assisted in processing the victim's vehicle for evidence. On June 27th, Flagstaff detectives learned that a person matching the suspect's description boarded an eastbound Greyhound bus in Flagstaff several hours after the rape. The suspect forced the bus driver to stop west of Amarillo, Texas, where the suspect got off the bus and fled. Amarillo investigators are now involved in the investigation. [David Brennan, GRCA, 6/29]
An individual called park dispatch on June 30th and reported a hiker in need of assistance on the South Kaibab trail. The reporting party said that 20- year-old C.R. was "talking crazy" and did not know her friend's name. Rangers Ken Phillips and Michael Nash responded; they found C.R. suffering from a diminished level of consciousness and found that she had an initial oral temperature of 103 degrees. Since the signs indicated that she was suffering from the early stages of heat stroke, the rangers quickly began cooling her down. Communication with C.R. was possible only through a German interpreter at the scene, who said that C.R. thought she was in Germany. After her temperature was lowered to 101, she was medevaced to the South Rim, then taken to Grand Canyon Clinic for evaluation. She awoke later that evening and began speaking to her nurse in perfect English. She was later released with no lasting impairment. [CRO, GRCA, 7/14]
On the morning of August 3rd, Phantom Ranch rangers received a report of an emotionally disturbed 29-year-old woman who was threatening suicide by jumping into the Colorado River. They found the woman located precariously on a 40-foot-high cliff above a turbulent eddy just downstream from Silver Bridge, which crosses the river. Rangers used rope rescue equipment to approach her from above, but could not get close enough to safely retrieve her due to her extremely aggressive and agitated emotional state and her repeated threats to kill herself. Other rangers responded by helicopter; upon landing, they solicited help from the operators of a commercial river trip at Phantom boat beach. Two rangers changed into civilian clothes and joined the trip. The boat operator then piloted the raft to a position directly below the woman. Ranger Patti Thompson, who had been talking with the woman, talked her into willingly climbing aboard the boat with minor assistance from the ranger "passengers". The woman then attempted to push Thompson, who was secured by a safety line, into the river. The woman was subsequently taken into protective custody, flown out of the canyon, and admitted to a guidance center in Flagstaff where she is received psychological care. Neither the woman nor any of her rescuers were injured in the incident. [Dispatch, GRCA, 8/4]
Two tour helicopters owned and operated by Papillon Helicopters collided ten feet off the ground in Tusayan on the afternoon of August 7th, injuring all 14 occupants. One helicopter was taking off at the time; the other was landing. About 20 park personnel responded and provided EMS assistance. Five of the victims were taken to Grand Canyon Medical Center, and the other nine were transported to hospitals in Flagstaff. One of the victims had a severed limb, but the nature and extent of injuries to the helicopters' other occupants is unknown at present. [Terill Gibbons, Dispatch, GRCA, 8/7; Bill Banks, Dispatch, GRCA, 8/8]
L.J. of Mesa Arizona and a companion were drinking alcohol while sitting on the canyon rim near Lee's Ferry on August 15th when JacL.J.kson fell 600 feet to his death. Although the incident occurred at 1 p.m., rangers didn't receive the report until that night because L.J. had the keys to the vehicle they'd employed in his pocket. Rangers found L.J.'s body at 6 a.m. the following morning after a long rappell to the site. L.J.'s companion told investigators that he'd turned away from L.J. at the time of the incident and was therefore unable to determine why he'd fallen. [Terrill Gibbons, GRCA, 8/16]
A.Z., 24, a German national, was walking along the rim at Cape Royal on the North Rim when he accidentally fell 200 feet to his death. Members of his family were with him at the time. No other details are currently available. Park and county personnel recovered his body. [Bill Banks, GRCA, 9/7]
On September 7th, 34-year-old L.N. of Houston, Texas, was visiting the Cape Royale area on the North Rim when she stepped on a loose rock and fell about 75 feet. She died immediately of massive head injuries. Her companion did not witness the incident, but heard the noise of the fall, found L.N. missing, and reported the incident to rangers. An investigation into her death is underway. [Kevin Cochary, GRCA, 9/8]
On September 8th, J.M., 51, a local indigent, apparently climbed over the safety railing at Mather Point, made his way to the edge, fell 60 feet to a ledge, rolled, then fell an additional 300 feet to his death. Visitors reported seeing J.M. drinking alcoholic beverages in the area just prior to the incident. His body was recovered by rangers and evacuated by helicopter. Coconino County deputies are investigating the incident. [Kimberly Spaulding, GRCA, 9/9]
On the evening of September 9th, J.S., 47, was hiking down Bright Angel trail with several companions when she collapsed unexpectedly. One of her friends reported the incident to rangers, who quickly responded. A ranger/paramedic took a blood sample and ran to the clinic for diagnosis. Meanwhile, J.S. was evacuated by stokes litter to a waiting helicopter, then flown to the medical center in Flagstaff. The results of the blood sample showed that J.S. was suffering from a severe case of water intoxication, which results from drinking excessive amounts of water without ingesting solid food. The body's electrolytes are therefore washed away, causing alcohol-type intoxication symptoms, unconsciousness, and, in extreme cases, death. J.S. is still in guarded condition at the Flagstaff hospital. Because of the number of such cases which have occurred at Grand Canyon, the park is rethinking the message it gives to Canyon hikers. One new recommendation will be that people eat well and carry high energy foods with them. [Dispatch, GRCA, 9/10]
On the evening of October 16th, a 15-year-old girl was exploring a mine shaft near Havasu Falls with other members of her church group when she fell 50 feet down a vertical shaft and suffered fractures to her right arm and ribs. She was extricated by BIA officers and a Public Health Service physician, but could not be flown out because all rescue helicopters in northern Arizona were grounded due to severe weather. The park helicopter flew to the area the following morning by taking a route through the canyon and keeping below the storm ceiling. Rangers continued administering advanced life support measures which had been begun by the doctor. During a brief break in the storm, the girl was flown out to the South Rim, transferred to an ambulance, and taken to Flagstaff Medical Center, where she was treated for the fractures and hypothermia. [CRO, GRCA, 10/19]
On September 19th, J.L.D. was arrested in Chubbuck, Idaho, for a series of car clouts which had occurred in Yellowstone and Grand Teton the previous day. Investigators now suspect him of having committed motel room burglaries in Grand Canyon and Yosemite and auto burglaries in Sequoia National Forest and in Laughlin, Nevada, near Lake Mead. These burglaries occurred after J.L.D. fled his supervisory position with the park concession at Grand Canyon on August 7th. J.L.D. was the prime suspect in a year-long investigation of over 75 non-forced motel room burglaries in the park, where he'd worked since 1987. It's believed that J.L.D. used his position as supervisor of the concession rooms inspectors and concession guest room attendants to gain access to motel rooms. Investigators suspect that he returned to the park on September 10th and committed seven more motel room burglaries, possibly with stolen concession master keys. At the time of his arrest in Idaho, he was found in possession of items stolen in those burglaries. Two other recent concession employee arrests at Grand Canyon may also be linked to J.L.D.. On October 5th, a concession guest room attendant was arrested following an investigation of the theft of a $20,000 diamond ring from a motel room. The ring was in the employee's possession and was recovered. Two days later, a concession rooms porter was arrested on a $10,000 felony arrest warrant from Yosemite following a room burglary investigation at that park. [CRO, GRCA, 10/19]
T.R., 24, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, fell to his death on November 9th while taking photographs at the First Trail View overlook. T.R. was beyond the safety fence when he lost his footing and fell. Fifteen other visitors witnessed the incident. [Dispatch, GRCA, 11/10]
On November 16th, an investigation was begun into the disappearance of J.H., a 22-year-old visitor with a history of depression who'd last been seen at the Bright Angel Lodge cabins the previous night. Rangers in the park helicopter subsequently spotted J.H.'s remains about 250 feet below the Rim Trail and lodge. On scene investigation and recovery over steep and icy terrain were interrupted by darkness. A six-person technical rescue team recovered the body the following day, and it was determined that J.H. had died from extensive head and chest trauma. It appears that J.H. climbed over a stone wall behind the lodge, but no witnesses to the event have yet been found. It has not yet been determined whether his death was a suicide, accident or the result of actions by another party. Alcohol appears to have been a factor. The case is open and the investigation is continuing. [Brian Smith, GRCA, 11/29]
On November 19th, rangers responded to a report that a male had exposed himself to an 11-year-old and a 13-year-old girl on several occasions. Concession employee and park resident G.P., 46, was identified as the suspect. After failing to yield on a traffic stop, he was subsequently arrested on a felony burglary warrant out of California. Investigators discovered that G.P. has several aliases and dates of birth and an extensive criminal history. He'd been employed as a room inspector by the concessioner. On November 23rd, the county attorney filed criminal charges against G.P. in the case involving the juveniles. The investigation continues. [Brian Smith, GRCA, 11/29]
Rangers responded to the report of a vehicle over the rim of the South Kaibab trailhead on the afternoon of November 19th and found a wrecked car and body about 400 feet below the rim. Witnesses reported that the driver, later identified as 19-year-old M.S., had purposely driven his 1967 Pontiac off the road at high speed and over the rim. A ten-person technical rescue team recovered his remains later that afternoon. Investigation revealed that M.S. drove from Bakersfield, California, to the Grand Canyon expressly to commit suicide, but it's not known whether recent widespread news coverage of other over-the rim fatalities - this is the ninth this year - influenced M.S.'s actions. [Brian Smith, GRCA, 11/29]
The park received a request for mutual aid from the Arizona Department of Public Safety on the afternoon of November 17th following a two vehicle head-on collision on Highway 64 just south of the park. The park's helicopter, an ambulance and a structural engine responded along with ten park employees. Eleven patients, including three who were seriously injured, were treated and transported to Grand Canyon Clinic and Flagstaff Medical Center. One seriously injured person was trapped in a vehicle for 45 minutes until extricated by the crew from the park engine. Fatalities were apparently prevented by airbag deployment. [Brian Smith, GRCA, 11/29]
Rangers David Brennan and Nancy Mecham responded to a report of an intoxicated female at the Grand Canyon Railway depot at 11:15 p.m. on January 31st. They found F.B., a 50-year-old concession employee, extremely intoxicated and suffering from severe hypothermia and facial trauma. F.B. was taken to the park clinic; she was found to have a body core temperature of 80 degrees and a blood alcohol level of 0.29%. The rangers and clinic staff provided advanced life support and rewarming therapy, after which F.B. was taken to Flagstaff Medical Center, where she is now reported to be in stable condition. Investigation revealed that F.B., who had been drinking heavily at her residence and at a concession- operated bar, was attempting to walk home from the bar - a distance of a quarter mile - when she fell down and was unable to get up. F.B. lay on the ground in a secluded spot for two hours in five degree temperatures before being discovered. It's believed that she would have died after another hour of exposure. [Dispatch, GRCA, 1/31]
On the evening of February 14th, a park maintenance crew returning from Jacob's Lake discovered the frozen body of J.C., 37, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, next to the North Rim entrance station. They summoned North Rim paramedics, who determined that J.C. had frozen to death. Investigation revealed that J.C., who was wearing a light jacket and street shoes, had been backpacking that day and that he was not prepared for either hiking in the backcountry or for winter weather. In addition, his backcountry permit did not authorize travel to the North Rim. It was determined that J.C. had hiked out of the canyon from the South Rim in up to three feet of snow. He had started towards the developed area of the North Rim, but for some reason turned away, made his way past the entrance station, then set up a small camp. J.C. later left that camp and returned to the entrance station, where his body was found. His remains have been taken to Flagstaff. [Barbara Brutvan, GRCA, 2/16]
On the afternoon of February 24th, visitors reported that M.H., 50, a German national, had slipped on ice on the New Hance Trail while descending into Red Canyon, had fallen an unknown distance, and had suffered injury serious enough to cause fluid to drain from her ears. Due to snow cover and the hazardous terrain, rangers who responded in the park helicopter were unable to land at the site. A helicopter short haul rescue was deemed appropriate, but the only park pilot currently qualified for such missions was out of the park. Two rangers, one of them a paramedic, instead hiked to the scene on foot, which took about 75 minutes. Fortunately, park personnel have recently been assisting Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue with short haul rescue training. Although fully trained, the DPS team had not yet received authorization from their agency to conduct rescues. Because of the gravity of the situation, the agency approved the mission, and Ranger 36, the DPS helicopter, was dispatched to the park. Two ranger/paramedics were transported to the scene and prepared M.H. for evacuation. Shortly after sunset, Ranger 36 extracted M.H. and a ranger/paramedic on a 50-foot short haul line and brought them to a helispot on the canyon rim. She was then transferred to the helicopter and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment. Physicians determined that M.H. had suffered a concussion and an avulsion to her forehead; they expect to release her following treatment and observation. [Ken Phillips, CR, GRCA, 3/3]
On February 1st, E.G., 33, a park concession employee, was arrested by rangers for disorderly conduct and being under the influence of alcohol after she disrupted customers in a cafeteria by screaming and throwing dishes. E.G., who actively resisted arrest and attempted to kick rangers David Brennan and Nancy Mecham, was also charged with interference with an agency function. On February 25th, ranger Chris Fors investigated a report that E.G. was under the influence of opiate drugs. E.G. attempted to flee, assaulted Fors by punching him and trying to push him down a flight of stairs, and actively resisted handcuffing. She was charged this time with assault, disorderly conduct, interfering with an agency function, and being under the influence of alcohol and drugs. She was released pending trial in both cases and continued to work as a fire/security dispatcher with the Fred Harvey Company. Around midnight on February 28th, rangers received a report that E.G., while drinking in a concession employee bar, had made specific and detailed threats to kill the rangers involved in her two previous arrests. She then began screaming profanity and assaulted a man in the bar with a pool cue. When rangers Brennan, Mecham and Kent Keller later attempted to contact E.G., she fled into her dormitory room and barricaded the door with furniture. Based on witness statements, E.G.'s behavior and physical evidence, rangers believed that E.G. was under the influence of both cocaine and heroin. They evacuated the surrounding dormitory rooms and spent about an hour attempting to negotiate a surrender before making a forced entry into E.G.'s room and arresting her. Although she physically resisted arrest and handcuffing, neither she nor the arresting rangers were injured. A canister of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray was found concealed under a pillow on the bed she was lying on. E.G. was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, interference with an agency function, and being under the influence of drugs. She is being held in the Coconino county jail pending court appearances on 11 misdemeanor and felony charges. [Dispatch, GRCA, 3/4]
The original Babbitt's general store at the Grand Canyon burned to the ground at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 18th. The building, which is on the National Historic Register, is a total loss. Although it no longer served as a store, the concessioner, Fred Harvey, was using it as a community library, pub, recreation center and weight training center. The library contained a number of historic documents, including letters from Teddy Roosevelt. Four engines and 20 firefighters responded from the park, the concessioner and the community of Tusayan. Heat threatened to ignite the adjacent magistrate's office, operations center and fee collection building, but firefighters were able to save them. The fire was so hot that the temperature inside the operations center reached 120 degrees at one point. The cause of the fire is not known, but arson is possible. When rangers at the scene began taking photos of the crowd, a standard practice in structural fires because arsonists sometimes like to watch their work, a man in the group immediately bolted and was arrested. No further details are available. In the past, there have been problems with the a butane heater in the building, and with some of its electrical system; an accidental start therefore can not be ruled out. The building had no sprinkler system. Details to follow. [Paul Ducasse, RAD/WRO, 3/18]
The park has sent along further information on last Friday's fire, which destroyed the old Babbitt store. An attendant discovered light smoke inside the store when she arrived at work just before 9 a.m. and immediately ran across the street to ranger operations. The responding ranger observed light smoke in the recreation center and in the community library. Park and Fred Harvey engines were dispatched along with two park ambulances. Shortly thereafter, heavy smoke and flames were reported to be issuing from the library. By 9:20 a.m., the building was fully involved, and all firefighters were ordered out of the interior of the building. A defensive attack was initiated and firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings. Nine were injured while fighting the fire - seven were treated for smoke inhalation and released, one was taken to the park clinic for further treatment of smoke inhalation, and one was taken to the clinic for treatment of a back injury. The building, which was constructed in 1925, originally housed the Babbitt's store and village post office. The community recreation center, weight room, library, and employees' pub were completely destroyed. Damages are estimated to be in excess of $1,000,000. The fire is being investigated by the park, the concessioner and the state fire marshal's office. [GRCA, 3/21]
Just before 8 p.m. on March 22nd, park dispatch received a 911 call reporting smoke coming from a space heater in the women's lavatory located in the Brown Building, one of the Fred Harvey dormitories. A total of three fire engines were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters were able to keep the fire confined to the space heater. No other damage or injuries were reported. [GRCA, 3/22]
Rangers responding to a be-on-the-lookout message for a suicidal person on March 28th made contact with him in the park. The person, 17-year-old K.W. of Ohio, attempted at one point to run down a ranger with his car. After discussions with rangers, however, he was allowed to leave the park. Patrols that followed K.W. reported that he was driving erratically and almost hit a pedestrian in the Tusayan community. He was subsequently stopped by rangers and Arizona DPS officers at Valley, a community 25 miles from the park. Negotiations with K.W. continued for four hours, during which time he threatened to shoot himself with a .22 caliber handgun. Despite the best efforts of negotiators, K.W. eventually made good on his threat and killed himself. [Dave Swickard, GRCA, 3/29]
Personnel from the Arizona Department of Transportation were plowing Highway 67 outside the park's North Rim on March 30th when they came upon D.F.S., 31, walking barefoot. D.F.S. said that she'd been trying to reach the North Rim (closed during the winter due to heavy snows) and had been walking in the forest for approximately two weeks. She said that she'd become disoriented during the previous week's snowstorm, that she'd lost her pack and food, and that she hadn't eaten in two weeks. Responding rangers found that both D.F.S.'s feet had severe frostbite. She was flown by park helicopter to Flagstaff Medical Center. D.F.S.'s condition is serious; amputation of most of her toes and the front portion of her left foot appears inevitable. Investigation has revealed that D.F.S. has a history of mental disability and drug abuse. [Dispatch, GRCA, 4/1]
An overdue rental vehicle whose operator was reported to be a missing person was discovered at Maricopa Point on April 22nd. An aerial search was conducted later that day, but no sign of the driver, 34-year-old J.S. of Cannonburg, Pennsylvania, was found. Due to inclement weather, the search was discontinued, but resumed again on May 1st. Later that day, J.S.'s body was found in the canyon about a third of a mile west of Hopi Point. He had apparently jumped to his death. [Terrill Pettet, GRCA, 5/2]
On Tuesday, May 10th, law enforcement officers from numerous federal, state and local agencies served arrest and search warrants on H.M.H., 51, of Gresham, Oregon, who is suspected of committing over 1,200 burglaries of vehicles belonging to visitors camped in NPS, California state park, Forest Service and other camping areas around the United States, including Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Crater Lake, Lassen Volcanic, Glacier and about 20 other NPS units. He's also suspected of committing hundreds of auto burglaries in dozens of California parks. H.M.H. is currently being held on a federal detainer for violation of probation and cannot be released from jail. Over the next few days and weeks, H.M.H. will be charged with numerous counts of theft, burglary, and other related criminal offenses. Additional charges may be filed following analysis of truck loads of evidence seized during the execution of the warrants. Tens of thousands of dollars worth of suspected stolen property was taken from his home and a storage locker in Oregon. NPS investigators have been working for approximately three years on this single investigation, which was initiated by the NPS and California State Park Service but eventually evolved into a multi-agency task force effort. The following agencies participated in the investigation: National Park Service, California State Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Gresham Police Department (Oregon), Regional Organized Crime Narcotics Agency (Oregon), California Highway Patrol, California Department of Justice, California Department of Forestry, FBI, Multnomah County Office of the District Attorney (Oregon), Hillsboro Police Department (Oregon), Washington County Sheriffs Department (Oregon), Oregon State Police, and numerous California county law enforcement agencies. [Paul Ducasse, SA, RAD/WRO, 5/11]
B.C., a concession employee with Grand Canyon National Park Lodges at Phantom Ranch, went off on a day hike to Plateau Point on Tuesday, May 24th, but failed to return. A hasty search was begun just before 7 a.m. yesterday morning, and her body was found about two hours later. An investigator was still en route to the scene at the time of the report, but it appears that B.C. died from a traumatic fall. [Karen Shinkle, GRCA, 5/25]
During a two-week period in late May and early June, a series of nine arson fires were ignited around the South Rim. An arson investigator was assigned to the case; after the third and fourth consecutive fires, a pattern began to emerge, suspects were identified, and a surveillance operation initiated. The latter led to the arrest of a concession employee who subsequently confessed to the crimes. The person pled guilty in magistrate's court and was sentenced to six months in prison and a $2,500 fine. The funds will be placed in an account to pay for the suppression of the fires and the arson investigation. [Jess Duhnkrack, GRCA, 6/11]
On June 9th, several members of the Gypsy Jokers, a motorcycle gang, arrived in the park. Rangers kept tabs on the group at the request of other agencies and looked unsuccessfully for a gang member with a felony warrant against him. While on patrol that evening, rangers observed four of the bikers travelling eastbound on East Rim Drive at a high rate of speed, twice passing vehicles in no passing zones. The rangers attempted to stop the motorcyclists; the biker in the rear of the pack yielded to the patrol car, but the other three accelerated away at speeds of up to 70 mph. The biker who had yielded began to follow closely behind the patrol vehicle as the pursuit continued. At the drive's junction with the Grandview fire tower road, the three bikers turned into the fire road and turned their motorcycles around to face the rangers. One of the rangers covered the trio with a shotgun, while the second ranger contacted the trailing biker, who had stopped several feet behind the rangers' car. When instructed to get off his motorcycle, the biker instead reached into a saddle bag; he reached into the bag three times while at gunpoint before getting down on the ground as ordered. The four were held at gunpoint until back-up units from the park and county sheriff's office could arrive. All four were arrested for reckless driving and failure to yield. A loaded revolver was found on one of the motorcycles, and several large wrenches and long, sharpened screwdrivers were found in the saddle bag that the fourth rider had been reaching into. Rangers later learned that this rider was a new gang member, and that an officer safety alert had been issued against him because he is trying to make a name for himself in order to gain acceptance to the gang. [Steve Martin, RAD/WRO, 6/15]
On the evening of June 10th, rangers responded to a call of a possible sexual assault in a concession residence hall on the South Rim. The victim said that a male concession employee had entered her room, had told her he had a gun, and had held her involuntarily for 30 minutes while he tried to sexually assault her. The suspect fled the area moments before the call was made, and a description was quickly broadcast to rangers, concession security officers and shuttle bus drivers. A bus driver reported that he'd dropped the suspect off in the trailer village several minutes earlier. Information from witnesses and AT&T helped rangers locate his residence, but he was gone when they arrived. While they were working up a search plan for him, he walked up to the house with three juveniles and was taken into custody without incident. The case has been turned over to Coconino County for prosecution. [Dispatch, GRCA, 6/16]
V.G, 39, and his wife M.G., 34, of Marino Valley, California, were driving at a high rate of speed past the Desert View entrance station at 1:30 a.m. on July 5th when the vehicle struck the station's metal railing. V.G. was killed; he was not wearing a seatbelt. M.G. suffered possible head injuries and a fractured ankle. Alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor. [Terrill Petter, GRCA, 7/5]
On July 4th, a 40-year-old woman was heading westbound into the park near Desert View when her attention was momentarily diverted by one of her three children and she drover her car over an embankment. The vehicle rolled over several times and landed with the driver partially ejected and trapped beneath the car. None of the three children, all under the age of eight, was wearing a seatbelt, but none suffered significant injuries; all three were able to get out of the vehicle on their own. The first ranger on scene was Chris Mengel. With the assistance of several visitors, he employed car jacks, cribbing and a come-along to lift the vehicle off the woman - actions that resulted in the saving of her life. She was stabilized by ranger paramedics, then medevaced by the park's helicopter to Flagstaff Medical Center, where she is in fair condition with a closed head injury and blunt chest trauma. [Sherrie Collins, DR, South Rim District, GRCA, 7/11]
Early on the morning of Tuesday, July 12th, back country rangers began a search for 61-year-old W.L. of Chicago, whose family reported that he'd failed to return from a backcountry trip in the Hermit Creek area of the park. W.L. had a two-night camping itinerary and was scheduled to hike out of the canyon on July 10th. He was hiking alone, and, according to his family, had no prior backpacking experience. Following an intensive 13 hour search involving over 30 NPS employees and two helicopters, rangers located W.L. just before sunset that evening. He was found in a drainage off the main Hermit Trail, which he set out upon on the 8th. W.L. had apparently underestimated the difficulty of the Hermit Creek Trail and the effects of the desert climate typical during this time of the year. He was exhausted, nearly out of food, and suffering from the effects of dehydration, exposure, and fatigue. W.L. was medevaced to the South Rim and taken to the Grand Canyon Clinic, where he was treated and released. He returned home with his son and nephew on Wednesday morning. [CRO, GRCA, 7/13]
Just after midnight on July 12th, a South Rim patrol ranger on a routine patrol of the Camper Services parking lot observed a vehicle parked with a person asleep at the wheel, a teenage male asleep in the trunk, and two younger children asleep in the rear seat. The operator, identified as D.T., 68, of Phoenix was awakened and at first stated the children were his. Upon further questioning, D.T. said the children were his grandchildren, then said the older boy was his nephew and the others were his friends. D.T. was extremely nervous during the contact and repeatedly attempted to speak quietly to the children. Each child was interviewed and each told a story consistent with D.T.' story. A missing check was run on each child and a wanted check was run on D.T.; all were negative. Only one of the boys had a home phone, but a park dispatcher was able to reach one os his parents, who said that the children had been allowed to go with D.T. to the Grand Canyon. D.T. asked if he could stay in the lot overnight and he was allowed to do so. After clearing the contact, the ranger requested a criminal history on D.T. based on some of the inconsistencies in his story and his concern for the welfare of the children. The history returned with multiple convictions for offenses involving children, and rangers were immediately dispatched back to the Camper Services lot. D.T. and the children, however, were gone. A bulletin was put out to surrounding agencies, a perimeter was set up on the South Rim, and the entire area was searched, but with no success. Detectives from the Coconino County sheriff's office took over the investigation in conjunction with Phoenix police. D.T. was found in that city with the children the following night. The subsequent investigation led to his arrest on multiple charges involving sexual misconduct with children. [CRO, GRCA, 7/24]
Rangers managed seven separate emergency medical and SAR incidents in the inner canyon on July 29th. Two people requiring advanced life support measures were flown out of the Phantom Ranch area early that morning. Shortly thereafter, rangers received a report of a possible cardiac arrest on the South Kaibab trail. While the victim was being evacuated, another report came in, this time of a 46-year-old man experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain on the Bright Angel trail. Rangers who went to his aid determined that he was suffering from exhaustion and mild dehydration and helped him walk out of the canyon. The next incident involved a group of stranded hikers along the Little Colorado River who had run out of food and water while attempting to hike a difficult and seldom traveled route. During this mission, which culminated with the group's evacuation, a report was received of a hiker with a possible lower leg fracture about two and a half miles down the North Kaibab trail. A litter evacuation and medevac were required to bring the victim to the Grand Canyon Clinic. At 8 p.m., a ranger on patrol on the Bright Angel trail was advised that a hiker had collapsed at about the three mile point on the trail. Advanced life support measures were required for the victim, including oral and IV rehydration. While this incident was going on, dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a hiker had collapsed and was unconscious and unresponsive a mile and a half down the South Kaibab trail. Rescue crews found the victim to be severely dehydrated but conscious and alert. ALS measures were begun and a litter team organized to evacuate the patient to the rim. [E. Brennan, GRCA, 8/2]
During the afternoon of August 2nd, a 14-year-old boy was playing along the rim of Transept Canyon near the North Rim campground when he tripped on the rough rock surface and fell over the edge, landing in a small scrub oak bush about 55 feet below. The boy was evacuated by litter up a scree slope, then taken by helicopter to Flagstaff Medical Center. A suspected lower right leg fracture proved to be a deep puncture wound with possible tendon and ligament damage. The boy also suffered numerous lacerations, but was otherwise in good condition. [K. Cochary, GRCA, 8/3]
On the afternoon of September 7th, the park received reports indicating that two men were stuck on a ledge at the 5,200-foot level on the canyon's Redwall formation about three miles down the Grandview Trail. Aerial observation revealed that two men were trapped on a small ledge with a 50- foot cliff below them and a 25-foot vertical pourover above them. After initial reconnaissance, an emergency helispot was established in the Grandview overlook parking lot to ferry personnel and equipment down to the Horseshoe Mesa area to expedite the technical portion of the evacuation before nightfall. Responding rangers established anchors and rapelled to the stranded climbers just as darkness fell. A lengthy technical rescue in extremely steep and rugged terrain ensued. The victims had been scrambling off trail on the previous afternoon and had stranded themselves on the ledge without food or water. The victims were returned to the South Rim, where both were treated for mild dehydration, and one was treated for a compound fracture in his right hand. [Dispatch, GRCA, 9/12]
During the seven-month period from May to November of 1993, M.D.E. and J.A.S.-E. are believed to have committed numerous car larcenies, check and credit card frauds, thefts from tents in campgrounds, and thefts of fees from campground pipe safes and association donation boxes on NPS, Forest Service, BLM, state park and private lands in Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota and Nebraska. Among the areas the couple hit were Yellowstone, Wind Cave, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Teton and Grand Canyon. On August 25th, they were indicted in Salt Lake City on from 10 to 13 counts of five 18 USC violations, including conspiracy, theft and property damage. The E.s were arrested separately in Akron, Ohio, and Seneca, South Carolina, earlier this week. They both admitted guilt during subsequent interviews and revealed many more violations, including theft of firearms, stolen money, pawning of stolen items, and a previously unknown and similar crime spree in 1992 which added many more parks to the list of areas which they'd struck, including sites in Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, California, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada and Mexico. The investigation into their activities continues. Many NPS rangers contributed information leading to these arrests. M.D.E. is being held on without bond due to the risk of flight; J.A.S.-E. may be released on a $25,000 surety bond with house arrest and electronic monitoring. They will be brought to Salt Lake City and likely tried there. [Erny Kuncl, SA, RMRO, 9/21]
On October 4th, park dispatch received a call for assistance from an emergency phone on the South Kaibab trail. Hikers there reported hearing yells for help coming from the area of the Old Miner's route west of the trail. A second report received from Fred Harvey wranglers on their radio frequency indicated that a hiker had fallen in the area and was severely injured. Rangers from Phantom Ranch responded and a short-haul rescue team was sent to the scene to assist. J.C., 25, an employee of Phantom Ranch Lodge, had fallen 90 feet down a talus chute while solo hiking off-route. Park medics were transported by short haul to the site and stabilized her many injuries, including a bilateral pneumothorax, fractured pelvis, wrist and jaw fractures, myocardial contusion and bleeding in her airway. J.C. was extracted via short haul, then transferred to a park helicopter for the flight to Flagstaff Medical Center. She is listed in good condition. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 10/11]
On the afternoon of October 17th, the Grand Canyon Airport control tower notified rangers that a King Air Cessna 402 with ten persons aboard was due to land in 30 minutes with malfunctioning landing gear. Five park fire and EMS vehicles responded along with the park helicopter and approximately 20 park personnel. Upon landing, the aircraft's landing gear collapsed and it skidded to a stop on its belly. There was neither fire nor collision. Four persons were transported by ambulance to local hospitals with minor back injuries, and another six persons were treated and released for minor injuries. The cause of the accident is under investigation. [CRO, GRCA, 10/18]
A party of 15 people on five rafts and six kayaks entered Hance Rapid on the Colorado River just after noon on November 16th. The first raft made it through the rapid without problem, but the second struck a large boulder, flipped, and became wrapped around the rock. All three people on board were ejected, and one became tangled in the boat. Witnesses said that the victim, who was wearing both a life jacket and wet suit, struggled to get free, but eventually disappeared below the water's surface. Two kayakers in the party continued on to Phantom Ranch, where they reported the accident to park employees. The park's rescue helicopter was dispatched and made it to within 2,000 vertical feet of the scene when it was forced to turn back because of strong gusting winds. Two rangers then hiked into the scene from the Hance Trail, where they stayed with the group until helicopter rescue operations could continue the following morning. Sometime during the night, the raft became untangled; it was found about 15 miles down river below Salt Creek on the morning of the 17th. Efforts to locate the victim have so far been unsuccessful. Six members of the group asked to be evacuated from the inner canyon and were taken to the South Rim. The remaining party was to be guided down river to Phantom Ranch by a park boatman. An aerial search for the victim is continuing. [Karyn Shinkle, Dispatch, GRCA, 11/17]
On December 14th, R.J.S., of Redwood City and M.L.G. of Santa Rosa pleaded guilty in federal district court to charges of violating the Endangered Species Act and other international wildlife conventions. The two were arrested last year for poaching butterflies between 1983 and 1992 in Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Death Valley, Golden Gate, Point Reyes and a number of wildlife refuges. More than 2,200 butterflies, including 210 protected under the Endangered Species Act, were taken for commercial gain over the period. The case was developed after Fish and Wildlife agents and Grand Canyon rangers and investigators began an investigation two years ago into poaching of a rare species of butterfly from the park. Collectors have paid hundreds of dollars for some of the rarer butterfly species the two men collected, which included the San Bruno elfin, mission blue and Lange's metalmark. This is reportedly the first federal case ever made against butterfly poachers. R.J.S. and M.L.G. could receive fines of up to $250,000 and prison terms of up to five years. [San Francisco Chronicle, 12/16]
Tuweep Area Ranger Ed Cummins suffered a heart attack at his residence at Tuweep during the early morning hours of December 15th. His wife Kathy requested assistance while providing her husband with EMT care. A state air rescue helicopter from Flagstaff flew directly to his residence and evacuated him to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah, where he is in intensive care. All inquiries should be directed to the park's public affairs office at 602-638-7779. [CRO, GRCA, 12/16]
After three days in the intensive care unit at Dixie Medical Center in St. George, Utah, Ed Cummins was transferred to the Latter Day Saints Hospital in Salt Lake City, where he underwent angioplasty on Tuesday to remove a blood clot which was blocking 95% of one of the coronary arteries in his heart. The procedure went well and doctors are hopeful that he will be released by Friday and be able to return home for the holidays. Those of you wanting to send get well wishes should send them to Ed Cummins, Latter Day Saints Hospital, 8th Avenue & C Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84143. [CRO, GRCA, 12/22]
A park visitor reported seeing personal property and footprints leading to the canyon rim at Powell Memorial off West Rim Drive around 5 p.m. on December 30th. The body of C.W., 25, was found about 500 feet below the rim the following morning. It appears that C.W. jumped to his death, but an investigation is still underway. [Karyn Shinkle, Dispatch, GRCA, 1/1]
On the afternoon of January 4th, state police asked the park for assistance on a serious motor vehicle accident which had occurred during a severe snow storm about seven miles south of the park's boundary. Twenty-one rangers in two ambulances, a fire engine, and a rescue unit responded. A Jeep Cherokee had slid into a pick-up truck, trapping three of the four family members in the Jeep. The roof of the Jeep was removed within six minutes and the occupants were extricated. The mother and five-year-old daughter died at the scene; the father and surviving daughter were transported to the park clinic along with the two passengers from the truck. The father is not expected to survive. The remaining victims have survivable injuries. A critical incident stress debriefing was conducted for all emergency service personnel. [GRCA, 1/6]
Rangers responded to a report of a stabbing at the bar at Bright Angel Hotel at 1:19 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, January 15th. Two hotel kitchen workers had apparently been arguing when one of them pulled a knife and began stabbing the other. The victim, A.B., 24, had suffered multiple stab wounds to the torso and was bleeding profusely. He was stabilized and taken to Flagstaff Medical Center by an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter. A.B.'s assailant, 41-year-old T.T.C. was arrested at the scene and the case was turned over to Coconino County deputies. It appears that T.T.C. will be charged with attempted murder. [Karyn Shinkle, Dispatch, GRCA, 1/15]
On the evening of January 28th, South Rim rangers stopped a vehicle entering the park to investigate an open container violation reported by an entrance station employee. During a consent search of the vehicle, a half ounce of methamphetamine was found, along with scales, packaging materials, syringes, other drug paraphernalia, and papers listing prices and packaging amounts. Also found in the passenger compartment of the vehicle was a .25 caliber pistol and a canister of OC spray. Rangers arrested J.S., J.R., K.H., and R.H., all from Enid, Oklahoma, for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Interviews with the suspects indicated that they had purchased the methamphetamine in California and were planning to sell it after returning home to Oklahoma. All four suspects were under the influence of the drug at the time of their arrest. The four have been charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. [CRO, GRCA, 1/31]
At 1 a.m. on Saturday, February 4th, South Rim rangers responded to a report of an assault victim who had been beaten with a baseball bat and found 23-year-old J.S. of Tusayan semi-conscious and suffering from multiple lacerations and contusions on the head and back. Advanced life support was provided and he was taken to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was diagnosed as suffering from facial fractures. Rangers determined that J.S., who had a blood alcohol content of .30, had assaulted 41-year-old V.C.-L. in her home after she refused his sexual advances. T.H., V.C.-L.'s 20-year- old son, then began fighting with J.S. and struck him several times with a baseball bat. T.H. may be prosecuted by the county for aggravated assault. [CRO, GRCA, 2/7]
A Las Vegas Air Piper Navajo with one crew member and nine passengers aboard crashed two-and-a-half miles north of Grand Canyon airport yesterday afternoon, killing eight of the ten occupants. All park EMS personnel and Engine 1 and its crew responded. The crash site is near the Forest Service's Ten-X campground just south of the park's boundary. No further details are yet available. [Dispatch, GRCA, 2/13]]
On February 20th, South Rim rangers received a report from the South Entrance Station of a Uhaul truck entering the park with marijuana smoke coming from it. The truck was soon stopped, and the patrol ranger noted a strong odor of burning marijuana as he approached the vehicle. The driver and passenger admitted that they'd been smoking marijuana, but said that they'd thrown their only joint out the window upon seeing the patrol vehicle. A probable cause search of the passenger compartment led to the discovery of paraphernalia, several grams of marijuana, and 4.4 grams of pure methamphetamine. The passenger told rangers that there was more methamphetamine in the back of the truck, and rangers subsequently found 41.8 grams in a container. Both were arrested and charged with possession of controlled substances and paraphernalia. [CRO, GRCA, 3/1]
The storm that struck northern Arizona over the past weekend dropped just under two and a half inches of rain on the South Rim and five inches of rain (together with snow melt) on the North Rim - both amounts almost double the average total monthly precipitation for their respective areas. Runoff was heavy on the rims and in the canyon. The corridor trails - Bright Angel, North Kaibab and South Kaibab - and the trans-canyon water line were all heavily damaged. Preliminary assessments by park personnel revealed that the water line had been extensively damaged between the Roaring Springs intake and the North Rim on the north side and between the Roaring Springs intake and Phantom Ranch on the south side. Loss of the adjoining North Kaibab trail at several locations has made access to the water line leading to the North Rim impossible until those portions of the trail are reconstructed. There is storage capacity for two to three weeks of water use on the South Rim, but preliminary estimates of trail and water line damage indicate that the time necessary to repair these might exceed three weeks. Park staff will conduct a more detailed assessment and planning sessions today. Forecasters are predicting more storm activity in the area over the coming week. [Mallory Smith, GRCA, 3/6]
The heavy rains which fell last weekend caused Bright Angel Creek at Phantom Ranch to rise at a rate of about two feet per hour from 6 p.m. on March 5th to 2 a.m. the following morning. Around 11:30 p.m., two Phantom Ranch concession employees advised the area ranger that flood waters had stranded five concession employees on a shrinking island in the middle of the creek. The ranger and a volunteer responded, assessed the situation, and called out a park trail crew and area maintenance workers to assist with the rescue. Personnel from the South Rim and Indian Gardens also responded. They discovered that Bright Angel Creek had overflowed its banks below the campground on the river delta and split into two channels, trapping the five concessioners on a piece of land between the two creek channels and the Colorado River. The first rescuers on scene were able to get a rescue line from the east bank of the creek to the island, but it was lost when the people on the island attempted to move the anchor point out of the path of the rising water. The water level crested at 2 a.m., then began to recede. As the flooded creek continued to widen its new channel, water levels dropped in the west creek channel, permitting rescuers to establish a fixed line to the island. Warm clothes, food and overnight gear were sent over the line. Around 8 a.m., weather conditions improved sufficiently to allow the park helicopter to land on a newly formed sandbar on the north side of the island. All five were flown off the island. They were in good condition except for mild hypothermia. Meanwhile, the park continues in its efforts to assess and recover from damage inflicted by the storm. The regional all-risk management team, headed by Bryan Swift, was requested and arrived in the park yesterday. Phantom Ranch facilities have been closed, and use of trails within the canyon is being discouraged or curtailed. The park is working on plans for bringing in water to add to the amount that was in storage at the South Rim when the water line failed. No actions to reduce public use at the South Rim have been decided upon as of yet. The extent of damage to the line and to trails is still being assessed. Additional heavy rains are a real possibility. [Mallory Smith, GRCA, 3/8]
Preliminary assessments of last weekend's storm-inflicted damages have been completed. Rockfall and water damage to the Bright Angel, South Kaibab and North Kaibab trails is severe. The trans-canyon pipeline that carries water from the north slope of the canyon to the South Rim developments has been severed in at least three places; in at least two places, 50-foot-long plus sections are missing along with the supporting trail. The pipeline to the North Rim also has numerous breaks and will require significant repairs. The entire Bright Angel trail from the South Rim to the river and the entire North Kaibab trail from the North Rim to the river are closed due to multiple rock slides. The South Kaibab trail is closed below Mormon Flats, about two miles from the rim. No overnight camping is being permitted in these areas, and wilderness permit reservations are being canceled. This will impact about 8,000 backcountry hikers between now and April 15th. Phantom Ranch lodge and the campground at Phantom are closed. The park, however, remains open. It's estimated that repairs will take about five weeks. Crews will begin work immediately. The park is planning to bring in 350,000 gallons of water daily by truck. Conservation measures are being implemented to conserve 150,000 gallons of water per day. These measures include residential conservation, reductions in water use in hotels and restaurants, and use of portable toilets in many public areas. Five incident objectives have been established by the park and all-risk management team: provide for health and safety of residents and visitors; assure efficient and wise use of money; provide accurate and up- to-date factual information; assure minimum impact to the community and park operations; protect the resource and provide a quality experience for visitors. An action plan is being developed based on these objectives. [Mallory Smith, GRCA, 3/9]
Precipitation fell on the park over the weekend, but in amounts more moderate than the heavy falls of the weekend of March 4th. The South Rim had received about a quarter inch of rain and an inch of snow by Sunday morning; Phantom Ranch recorded about an eighth of an inch of rain; the North Rim had four-and- a-half inches of snow. Welding has been completed on two water line breaks; it's estimated, however, that only 15 percent of the needed work has been finished, so delivery of water by truck will continue to be necessary for some time. The park's goal is to bring in 350,000 gallons of water daily to meet anticipated needs (just over 260,000 gallons were consumed between 8 a.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. on Friday) and is close to attaining that objective. Water tenders brought about 100,000 gallons of water into the park on Thursday, but that amount had more than tripled by Saturday. Trail rehabilitation continues along the river and up the Bright Angel trail towards the South Rim. The park's landfill was flooded by the storm and has water over 40 feet deep in some places. Representatives from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality have met with incident managers to develop a plan to pump out the contaminated water. This project will entail construction of about three miles of line and pumping of the water to the park's wastewater treatment facilities. Bulldozers constructed a berm around the landfill Friday to prevent more water from flowing in. Pipeline work will begin later this week. As of yesterday, there were 180 personnel assigned to the Canyon Flood Incident. Cooperating agencies include the Forest Service, BIA, BLM, Coconino County Sheriff's Department and the Arizona Departments of Environmental Quality, Forestry and Emergency Services. [Bryan Swift, IC, GRCA, 3/11-12]
Several broken water pipe lines were shored and braced yesterday, and work is scheduled to begin on a third break today. Trail rehabilitation, including water-barring, ditch clearance and backfill, continued on all portions of the Bright Angel trail. About 30 percent of the trail has so far been repaired. Equipment will be leased to pump out the park landfill, but local labor will be utilized to perform the work. It's anticipated that the operation will begin by mid-week. Sampling and analysis of the water quality in the landfill is being contracted. The National Guard, in cooperation with the park, has brought in ten, 400-gallon, trailer-mounted tanks to supply drinking water. Eight are at Mather Point and one each at the South Kaibab and Hermit trail heads. Mather campground is honoring reservations that were made prior to March 8th, but no new reservations will be made during the next six weeks and no walk-up sites are being sold except in emergency circumstances. There are water spigots and portable toilets within each loop. Camper services, including laundry and showers, are closed. The Bright Angel and North Kaibab trails are closed in their entirety from the rim to the river, and the South Kaibab trail is closed from the South Rim to Mormon Flats. All backcountry permit reservations for these trails have been canceled through April 15th. Hiking is still available on other trails in the park. There are now 225 people assigned full-time to the Canyon Flood Incident. Cooperating agencies remain the same as noted yesterday. [Bryan Swift, IC, GRCA, 3/13]
Efforts to repair the park's pipelines and trails continue. Some portions of the trail work at Phantom Ranch have been completed, and work is now beginning on the concrete bridge abutments there. A Sky Crane helicopter, designed to lift heavy loads, has been ordered and is expected on site later this week. It will be used to lift concrete, pipes, conveyors, tractors and other heavy equipment into the areas where trail repair is underway. Fifteen water tenders are hauling over 400,000 gallons of water a day into the park from Williams, Valle and Tusayan. There are 217 people currently assigned to the Canyon Flood Incident. [Bryan Swift, IC, GRCA, 3/16]
Water began flowing through the pipeline to the South Rim at noon on March 17th. Water is no longer being trucked into the park, and most visitor facilities on the South Rim are back to normal operations. Much of the support for the pipeline from Roaring Springs to the river still needs work, however, and the line remains non-functional between Roaring Springs and the North Rim. The water level in Bright Angel Creek near Phantom Ranch rose on Monday night and washed out the dike that had been prepared for placement of the gabions that are to protect the sewage and electrical lines to the area. Because a storm system was approaching the park at the time of the report, the trail crews based at Phantom Ranch were demobilized, and it's expected that work may be delayed for up to two weeks. The North Kaibab trail from Phantom Ranch to Cottonwood still needs significant repairs and will be closed throughout the summer. The section from Cottonwood to the North Rim and the adjacent section of water line will be repaired as ground conditions permit; work will probably begin in mid-April and be completed in time for the scheduled mid-May opening of North Rim facilities. [Mallory Smith, MA, GRCA, 3/21]
The South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails from the South Rim to the Colorado River will open to foot and stock traffic on Friday, weather permitting. The Indian Garden and Bright Angel campgrounds will also open tomorrow. The tentative opening date for Phantom Ranch lodge is now April 15th. Mule trips to the lodge will not begin until then, but one-day mule trips to Plateau Point will resume on April 1st. Although work will continue on trails, pipe lines and draining of the park landfill, the incident management team will be released on Friday to return home. There are 152 people currently assigned to the Canyon Flood incident. [GRCA, 3/22]
The incident management team has prepared and transmitted its final report on the flood recovery efforts. The Roaring Springs trail crew was flown out on Wednesday, and supplies and equipment for the next phase of the operation were taken into Phantom Ranch and Roaring Springs. The South Kaibab and Bright Angels trails are to open today, and barricades are to be placed across the closed section of the North Kaibab trail. Some incident statistics have been provided which give an idea of the scope of the tasks undertaken and accomplished: * The Bright Angel trail crews rehabilitated over four miles of trail and 204 waterbars. They also constructed 3,461 square feet of wall and placed the equivalent of over 200 mule loads of dirt and fill on the trail. * The two Phantom Ranch crews repaired more than five miles of trail and 200 waterbars. They also excavated 118 tons of material for placement of gabions and worked on the irrigation system at Phantom Ranch. About 240 mule loads worth of fill were placed on the trail. * The crews at Roaring Springs constructed 971 square feet of wall and repaired 139 waterbars. They removed 181 tons of slide material - 400 wheelbarrow loads - and placed 298 tons of fill material around pipeline breaks. * The Skikorsky Sky Crane lifted a great deal of material in to the crews working in the canyon - 5,000 75-pound bags of cement, about 200 tons of soil and backfill, two Accutracks and a D-3 caterpillar/bulldozer. * Three miles of pipe line have been laid to the landfill, and over a million gallons of water have so far been pumped to the park's wastewater treatment plant. It's estimated that it will take four to five more days of pumping to remove all the water from the landfill. * The seven members of the regional SET team, who acted as trail blocks and assisted with visitor protection duties, made 8,000 contacts, assisted on four medicals and six SARs, issued 171 verbal warnings and 25 citations, and made two arrests. Team members were also used for traffic control, resource management, and wildlife management problems. Permits for overnight trips originating on the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails through April 14th were canceled after the storm, but are now being reinstated; about 300 permit holders are being notified by mail. Permits for available spaces will also be issued in person on a first-come, first-served basis at the park's backcountry office. An additional mailing is being done to permit holders for trips from mid-April through July, advising them of the summer-long closure of the lower section of the North Kaibab trail. Meetings are being held with the Arizona Conservation Corps for work on the next phase of the operation - the repair of that trail. This is the first time that the corps will be assigned to a park project. The estimated cost for the first phase of the operation has been placed at $1.7 million; the estimated total cost for all phases of the incident, including the trail rehab to take place this summer, is $2.5 million. [IMT, GRCA, 3/23]
On March 19th, South Rim rangers conducted a check on the residence of concession employees N.W. and J.W., as the house had been left unoccupied for an extended period of time under suspicious circumstances. While checking the house, rangers observed a large quantity of marijuana seeds within the building. A search warrant was obtained and executed on March 22nd. Among the items found were about 12 ounces of marijuana, packaged for sale; many items of paraphernalia; and a small amount of methamphetamine. The W.s were arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. They have been under suspicion of dealing drugs in the park for the past two years. [CRO, GRCA, 3/27]
On the morning of April 15th, rangers responded to a motor vehicle accident on East Rim Drive in which a car with six occupants - four adults and two children - had rolled over. Although none was in critical condition, one had to be extricated from the vehicle and a second had to be flown to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment. The remainder were taken to the park clinic for evaluation. [Karyn Shinkle, GRCA, 4/15]
Shortly after 6 a.m., Lee's Ferry rangers received a report of a falling victim at mile one on the river and reached him shortly thereafter. They found that the victim, 44-year-old D.S. of Tuba City, Arizona, had fallen about 120 feet to his death. The fall is believed to have been accidental. Alcohol is thought to have been a contributing factor. [Karyn Shinkle, Dispatch, GRCA, 5/28]
A two-month-long drug investigation of Fred Harvey company employees concluded on June 15th with the arrests of 15 employees and the execution of eight search warrants. Employees were arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges including sale, distribution and possession of drugs, illegal sale of alcohol, and possession of weapons. Drugs seized during the arrest and search warrant execution included methamphetamines, peyote and marijuana. An NPS agent from the Washington office conducted the investigation in conjunction with investigators from Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Approximately 30 law enforcement rangers and officers from Grand Canyon, Lake Mead, Glen Canyon, the Coconino County sheriff's department and the Williams police department executed the warrants and made the arrests without incident. A police dog from Williams located drugs and paraphernalia within Fred Harvey work areas. Arrests were made within the concession housing area, El Tovar kitchen and dining area, and Bright Angel kitchens. The investigation is continuing; more arrests are pending. [CRO, GRCA, 6/19]
Shortly after 11 p.m. on June 23rd, park dispatch received a report that 26- year-old A.M. of Australia had become sick and weak while hiking with a group on the Thunder River trail and that the other hikers had left him with a quart of water, then hiked out. Shortly after first light the next morning, a park helicopter flew to the area to evacuate A.M., but could not find him. A full-scale search was then initiated which employed three helicopters and numerous park personnel. One of the search helicopters was flagged down by two hikers in mid-afternoon; they reported that they'd heard someone yelling for help. Ranger Jeff Kracht found A.M., who was suffering from severe dehydration and a fractured leg. Technical rescue measures were required to reach him, after which he was evacuated by helicopter and taken to the South Rim clinic. Doctors determined that surgery would be required on his leg. Investigation revealed that A.M. left the trail in search of water after his companions departed, then was unable to get back to the trail. He slept through the night and laid low for several hours until he heard helicopters in the area; although he then built a signal fire, he was unable to attract searchers. A.M. then decided to seek water again, but fell and fractured his leg. [Karyn Shinkle, Dispatch, GRCA, 6/25]
On June 25th, park personnel at Indian Garden were contacted by visitors who reported seeing a person disrobe and swim out into the Colorado River at Pipe Creek Rapids, a spot about a mile downstream from Phantom Ranch that is frequented by day hikers. The park helicopter responded immediately, but the crew could find no sign of the victim. River flows at the time of the incident were in excess of 19,000 cubic feet per second, and the water temperature was about 50 degrees. Search efforts continue, and all parties on river trips are being briefed on the incident at Phantom Ranch. Peak runoff flow is expected through the week, which will make travel on the river very hazardous. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 6/30]
B.B. and N.B. and two friends were driving on the North Rim entrance road on the afternoon of July 2nd when B.B. drove the vehicle off a straight stretch of road, down an embankment and into a tree. N.B., who was sitting in the front passenger seat, was seriously injured. She was transported in a park ambulance and given CPR en route, but did not survive. Investigation revealed that B.B. may have fallen asleep behind the wheel and that he was driving at about 55 mph when the car left the road. B.B. and the remaining two passengers suffered minor injuries. [CRO, GRCA, 7/3]
Rangers were flagged down by a man sitting along East Rim Drive near Grandview Point late on the morning of July 4th. The man, 51-year-old J.C., was disoriented and suffering from dehydration. J.C. told rangers that he'd walked into the forest south of the drive a week earlier with plans to stay there until he died. After four days, he began walking back to the road. It took him two days to cover about two miles, during which time he had no food or water. Rangers provided advanced life support treatment and took him to the park clinic. After treatment there, J.C. was admitted to a psychiatric treatment facility. J.C. said that he had been hearing voices telling him to hurt himself, and that he would have killed himself if he hadn't been found. He has a history of manic-depressive and violent schizophrenic disorders and had not taken his medications for several months. [CRO, GRCA]
On the afternoon of July 4th, G.S., 30, of Columbus, Ohio, fell about ten feet while climbing below the canyon rim at Duck-On-A-Rock overlook on East Rim Drive, suffering a fractured tibia, dislocated knee and fractured wrist. Ten rangers responded and extricated him via a short litter raising operation. G.S. was taken to Flagstaff Medical Hospital by ambulance, where he subsequently underwent surgery for his injuries. [CRO, GRCA]
On the morning of July 19th, a mini-van with six occupants - all members of an extended family from Switzerland - left the road near Grandview Point and struck and broke off four large trees. L.F., eight, suffered massive head injuries; she was flown to Flagstaff Medical Center, where she died that evening. M.A. suffered a serious C-spine injury and was also flown to the hospital. A.F. suffered moderate injuries; M.F., seven, had minor injuries; B.F. and H.B., the driver, were uninjured. Twenty-three park employees, including interpretive rangers and maintenance workers, responded to the incident. Six park medics provided patient care, and two helicopters were used to transport the victims. The cause of the accident is under investigation. None of the occupants was wearing a seatbelt. [CRO, GRCA]
On July 5th, Grand Canyon Trail Rides employees radioed North Rim rangers to report an accident which had occurred below the Roaring Springs day use area. J.C., 42, slipped on wet rocks while attempting to climb down a rock face adjacent to a water fall and fell about 20 feet, landing face first in a pile of loose rocks. J.C. was unconscious for 15 minutes following the accident. Rescue personnel responded to the Roaring Springs pump house via park helicopter, then hiked to the site. Park medics found J.C. in stable condition; they gave him morphine for pain control and stabilized him with a full-length vacuum splint. Because of the hazards involved in a short-haul rescue from the canyon, J.C. was evacuated through a two-stage, 100-foot technical raising in a Stokes litter. Doctors in Flagstaff determined that J.C. had suffered a basilar skull fracture and a fractured humerus and that he will require plastic surgery for deep lacerations to his face. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA]
The Fred Harvey company, a concessioner on the South Rim, received a telephoned bomb threat at 12:20 a.m. on July 26th. The unidentified caller said that a bomb had been planted in Victor Hall, an employee dormitory, that the call was a warning, and that the caller did not want to see any employee injured. The building was searched, but no suspicious articles were found. The same person called the company again some time later, but provided no new information. Both calls came from outside the park. Possible suspects include 15 Fred Harvey employees recently terminated by the company following their prosecution on a variety of narcotics charges. [Mark Law, GRCA]
On August 1st, R.S. of Redwood City, California, and T.K., of Tucson, Arizona, pled guilty to felony violations of the Endangered Species Act before a federal district court judge. R.S. was sentenced to five months in a work-furlough facility, five months in a halfway house, and two years' probation. T.K., considered less culpable, was given three years' probation. Both were also fined $3,000 and their collections were confiscated. A third man, M.G. of Santa Rosa, California, pled guilty to similar charges at an earlier date and was sentenced to three years' probation. The charges against the three men stemmed from nine years of poaching rare butterflies from federal lands, including Golden Gate, Grand Canyon, Point Reyes, Death Valley, Yosemite, and other areas. The conspiracy was uncovered when a Stanford University biologist contacted the Fish and Wildlife Service and advised agents that an employee had been poaching rare butterflies from the Grand Canyon. A search of R.S.'s house revealed more butterflies, as well as correspondence linking the three men and other collectors around the country. FWS special agent John Mendoza was the case agent, and was assisted by numerous NPS criminal investigators and rangers. The investigation spanned a four-year period. While T.K. conceded to the judge that there was no excuse for such illegal activity, he said that the Endangered Species Act was sometimes ambiguous. The judge agreed and directed T.K. to help dispel the confusion by teaching other collectors about the law. [Rod Suarez, CI, GOGA]
During a seven-month period in 1993, M.E. and J.S.-E., his now ex-wife, stole money from donation pipe safes at NPS, USFS and BLM sites, passed fraudulent checks to agencies and businesses, and employed stolen credit cards and checks taken from cars and tents in campgrounds throughout the West. Among the areas the couple hit were Yellowstone, Wind Cave, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Teton and Grand Canyon. The E.s were arrested separately in Akron, Ohio, and Seneca, South Carolina, last September. They both admitted guilt during subsequent interviews and revealed many more violations, including theft of firearms, stolen money, pawning of stolen items, and a previously unknown and similar crime spree in 1992 which added many more parks to the list of areas which they'd struck, including sites in Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, California, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada and Mexico. They subsequently pled guilty to charges of conspiracy and theft of government money. Under a plea agreement, M.E. was sentenced earlier this summer to six months in federal prison and three years' supervised probation; ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution to the NPS and a $1,000 fine; and required to undergo drug and alcohol rehabilitation. J.S.-E. is expected to receive similar sentencing. [Erny Kuncl, SA, IFAO]
An airplane flying illegally below the rim of the Grand Canyon narrowly missed colliding with the park helicopter on the evening of August 17th. The park helicopter, with pilot Jerry Bonner and two park medics aboard, was responding to a report of an individual with a head injury near the Little Colorado River confluence. The helicopter was traveling 800 feet above the ground at the time of the incident. Immediately after the near collision, the high-performance airplane took evasive action and began a climbing turn. The aircraft, tentatively identified as a World War II fighter or trainer, had the words "Fly Navy" painted on the underside of its wings. A second aircraft was seen following the first at a slightly higher altitude. Just prior to this incident and less than ten miles up river, members of a commercial river trip, including Vice President Gore and his family, saw the aircraft pass over their campsite. River rangers who were transporting Secret Service personnel determined that one of the aircraft had passed about 300 feet over the vice president's camp. Aircraft are not permitted to fly lower than 7,500 feet above sea level in this area of the Grand Canyon. The park is actively investigating this incident and is assisting the FAA in their own investigation. [CRO, GRCA]
Rangers Kris Monsma, Ron Martin, and Kevin Cochary were dispatched to Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim on the evening of September 7th in response to a report of a patient with chest pain. The visitor, M.N., 64, a native of France, went into cardiac arrest as he was describing his symptoms to the rangers through an interpreter. Monsma began CPR, while Martin operated a semi-automatic defibrillator (AED). Cochary and ranger Pat Suddath provided advanced life support (ALS) while Martin shocked M.N. twice, successfully restoring his heart beat. M.N. was alert and able to speak through the interpreter, ranger Natalie Suddath, when placed on the medevac helicopter. He was last reported in stable condition at Flagstaff Medical Center. Doctors ascribe M.N.'s successful recovery to the immediate use of the AED in conjunction with CPR and ALS. [CRO, GRCA]
Rangers received word around 10 p.m. on the evening of August 31st that F.J., a German visitor, was overdue from a hike on Grandview trail. Just before 1 p.m. that day, F.J. told a friend that he was going to hike in the canyon. Although his friend argued that it was too late in the day for such a hike and that F.J. was not prepared (he had no food, water or equipment), F.J. replied: "No risk, no fun." Rangers conducting an aerial hasty search found F.J. in the Cottonwood Creek drainage at 2 p.m. the following afternoon. He was evacuated by helicopter and taken to the park clinic, where he was treated and released. F.J. was then given a bill for $1,400 for the medevac, which he paid. [CRO, GRCA]
On the evening of October 5th, ranger Nancy Mecham was transporting a prisoner to Flagstaff in a marked patrol vehicle. While on Highway 64 about 18 miles south of the park, Mecham came upon a Dodge Ramcharger heading north in the southbound lane. Mecham pulled him over. When she approached the vehicle, the driver - later identified as 53-year-old A.B., a construction worker at Grand Canyon - tried to hit her with his vehicle. Mecham was able to evade him, however, and eventually removed him from his vehicle at gunpoint and held him until a county deputy could arrive. A.B. was found to have eight weapons in his vehicle, at least four of which - a .357 revolver, a 20 gauge shotgun, a 12 gauge shotgun, and a semi-automatic - were loaded and within his immediate reach. Minutes before Mecham encountered A.B., he'd been involved in a hit- and-run head-on collision. The victims of that accident were pursuing A.B. and witnessed his attempted assault on Mecham. Arizona state officers subsequently arrested A.B., who will likely be charged with DUI, endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident, and aggravated assault on a peace officer. Federal charges are also possible. [Kent Keller, GRCA]
Just before 8 a.m. on October 13th, ranger Chris Fores stopped J.H., 20, for speeding near the entrance to Mather campground. A routine check on his car indicated that it had been stolen several days previously. Fores then ordered J.H. to get out of the vehicle. J.H. instead reached under the passenger seat, retrieved a .380 automatic hand gun, and shot himself in the head. Park emergency crews responded, provided advanced life support, and transported him to the park clinic, where he was pronounced dead. The incident is being investigated by the park and the county sheriff's department. J.H. was reported as absent without leave (AWOL) from Fort Benning, Georgia. [Charlie Peterson, DR, South Rim District, GRCA]
The Fred Harvey Company advised park investigators on October 12th of a fraudulent practice being used by a tour company. Visitors were showing up at the lodge expecting reservations for rooms booked for them by a company known as "National Park Tours" with a business address of 1851 East 1st Street #900, Santa Ana, California. Investigators determined that the company solicits business through travel magazines using an 800 number (1-800-634-0933), and that they had also found a way to intercept calls to the park lodges by using 800 numbers. Calls would go to the "tour group", which would take the caller's credit card numbers to book a reservation in one of the park lodges. They would then call the victim back and tell him or her that the reservation had been made (even providing a phony confirmation number), call the lodge to make a reservation and get the right price, then bill the victim. The problem occurred when the lodge failed to ever receive payment from "National Park Tours" for any reservations and would accordingly cancel them. The unsuspecting victims would not be notified because the only address given on the reservations was "National Park Tours", and would only find out about the cancellation upon arrival in the park. Grand Canyon Lodges is trying to provide rooms at no charge to these visitors. There have been about 80 victims to date. So far, "National Park Tours" has collected approximately $16,400 from them. If you need any information on this scam, please contact criminal investigator Franco Sidoti at either 520-638-7830 or 520-638-7805. [Franco Sidoti, GRCA]
On November 10th, rangers responded to the Desert View entrance station to assist the victim of a hunting accident. A.G., 44, of Tuba City, Arizona, was shot in the head while hunting outside the park. He was rushed by ambulance to a nearby helispot; park paramedics arrived shortly thereafter by helicopter and provided advanced life support to A.G., who remained conscious, breathing and alert. He was taken to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he is in stable condition. A high-powered 7 mm rifle round removed a portion of his skull, exposing the brain and causing intercerebral bleeding and a concussion. Investigation revealed that both men were highly intoxicated at the time of the incident. Criminal charges are pending against A.G.'s companion. [Charlie Peterson, DR, South District, GRCA]
On Friday, November 17th, Arizona Governor Fife Symington and about 100 state employees - including 50 unarmed National Guardsmen - gathered at the Grand Canyon Airport just outside the park to take over and reopen the park. The park had been officially closed at 8 a.m. on November 16th. Over 150 media representatives and ten satellite trucks accompanied the state contingent. The delegation departed following several hours of sensitive negotiations, including calls to Secretary Babbitt, the White House, the U.S. Attorney's Office and members of the Arizona Congressional delegation. Legal counsel on both sides advised that there was no legal basis for the governor's proposed actions. Governor Symington and Secretary Babbitt were scheduled to resume negotiations by telephone on November 19th, but they were called off because the park reopened along with the rest of the government. It is possible that the state will offer additional assistance and a cash donation to keep the park open if a second government shutdown should occur. [Charlie Peterson, DR, South Rim District, and Mallory Smith, MA, GRCA]
South Rim rangers responded to a report of an unconscious person at a park residence on the evening of November 11th. They found 36-year-old J.J. unconscious; soon after their arrival, J.J. stopped breathing and began experiencing seizures. The rangers provided advanced life support and took him to the park clinic. He was subsequently flown to the Flagstaff Medical Center. Investigation revealed that J.J. had been beaten by 28-year-old J.W., who was arrested later that evening. Aggravated assault charges are pending against J.W.; the county sheriff's office is handling the case. J.J. and J.W., both park residents, were highly intoxicated at the time of the assault. [CRO, GRCA]
Park personnel at Phantom Ranch were notified of two swimmers in distress in the Colorado River on the afternoon of November 25th. F.Z. and T.F., both of Los Angeles, had entered the river at the Phantom Ranch boat beach and begun swimming downstream to Pipe Creek rapids in order to avoid having to hike along the River trail. The river flow at the time of the incident was 12,500 cfs, and the water temperature was 50 degrees. Witnesses saw F.Z. pull himself onto a cliff upstream of Silver bridge, while T.F. continued downstream and disappeared. Phantom Ranch rangers conducted a technical rescue of F.Z., and the park helicopter flew to the area for a possible short haul rescue. Other rangers flew downstream in a second helicopter to search for T.F., but failed to find him. Zernick was transported to the park clinic, treated for hypothermia and released. The search for T.F. continues. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA]
On December 9th, park personnel located the body of T.F. while conducting a helicopter search along the Colorado River. T.F. had been missing since he disappeared while attempting to swim the river downstream from the Phantom Ranch boat beach on November 25th. His body was found below Hermit Rapids, eight miles from the point last seen. River rangers Dave Desrosiers and Dave Trevino were inserted by helicopter upstream, kayaked down the river, and transported T.F.'s body to Boucher Rapids, where it was extracted by helicopter. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA]
The park - along with the rest of the Service - is in the process of a Phase I closure, as directed. Most areas of the park are accessible, but the link between the NPS and the visiting public is impaired due to the closure of visitor contact stations and other non-emergency government services, including the suspension of interpretive programs and fee collection operations. The Department of Interior and State of Arizona are continuing negotiations on a possible donation agreement that would allow the Secretary of Interior to implement a less restrictive closure, should a full closure be ordered. The negotiations are focusing on the area between Mather Point and Hermits Rest on the South Rim, the most visited area of the park. All visitor facilities within this area would remain open, although it's likely that some non- emergency government services would still be curtailed. All other park areas would be closed, including canyon overlooks along East Rim Drive, Desert View, trails below the rim, the Colorado River, and outlying areas. The effects the agreement may have on the closure process will remain uncertain until the agreement is signed. [Mallory Smith, GRCA]
As was noted on the December 18th Morning Report, the governmental shutdown has been classified as an incident for incident reporting purposes. Several parks have submitted reports of the impacts of the shutdown on their areas; reports from other areas will appear in coming days. * Grand Canyon - On December 20th, the state of Arizona and the Department of Interior entered into an agreement which authorized the department to accept financial donations allowing Grand Canyon to run designated areas of the park in the event of a full and complete budgetary shutdown. Because of this donation agreement, the shutdown was less restrictive than in other parks. The agreement was a one park, one term agreement, and specified areas that would remain open, numbers of employees who would work, and liability issues. Most visitor facilities between Mather Point and Hermits Rest on the South Rim remained open, including visitor contact stations, lodging accommodations, food services, shops and bus tours. State Highway 64 remained open as a through road; entrance stations were staffed for the purpose of providing information, but no entrance fees were collected. All other areas of the park, including the entire area below the rim, were closed. In addition to over $300,000 authorized by the state, several private organizations made large donations to augment state funds. These included Del Web Corporation ($100,000); Fred Harvey/Grand Canyon National Park Lodges ($52,875); John F. Long, a Phoenix development firm ($52,875); Babbitt Brothers Store, Verkamps Curio Shop and the Grand Canyon Railway ($17,500); Phoenix Hospital ($3,000); and Air Star Helicopters ($1,700). Vehicle counts during the shutdown were comparable to previous years, but the number of buses appeared to be high due to the many large groups of Nebraska and Florida fans traveling to the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix. Although visitors were happy to be in the park, many were frustrated by the limited access. [Chip Jenkins, MA, YOSE; Denny Davies, PIO, ZION; Maureen Oltrogge, PIO, GRCA]
During the most recent shutdown, all backcountry areas were closed by order of the superintendent and with the agreement of the state of Arizona, which provided some funding for continued operations in primary visitor areas. Despite the closure, members of a Trek America tour group went around trail blockades, signs and staffed trail blocks in order to hike backcountry trails. When contacted by rangers, they said that their tour leader had encouraged them to do so. The information was provided to concession management. On January 26th, the superintendent suspended Trek America's permit for the Grand Canyon for the three month period from February 1st to May 1st. [Charlie Peterson, DR, GRCA]
Just before 7 p.m. on February 18th, night shift rangers noted a vehicle in the South Boundary parking area. When it was still there at 10:30 p.m., an investigation was begun and it was learned that the owner was depressed and possibly suicidal. A search was begun with the park helicopter and eight ground searchers. The body of the victim was found about 250 feet below the canyon rim just east of Mather Point. [John Piastuck, IC, GRCA]
R.T., 49, an NPS trail crew member, was hit and severely injured by a falling boulder while working in the Tapeats Creek area along the Colorado River on the morning of Monday, February 26th. Fellow employees who were on scene provided immediate medical assistance, but evacuation was delayed by a winter snowstorm. A helicopter from the 66th Air Rescue Squadron at Nellis AFB flew him to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas that afternoon, where he remained in critical condition until he died late on Wednesday. Randy had worked both seasonally and permanently at Grand Canyon since 1984. An investigation of the accident is underway. [Mallory Smith, MA, GRCA]
South Rim rangers responded to a report of a man with chest pains and difficulty in breathing at Mather Point on April 6th. They began administering advanced cardiac life support treatment to A.L., 49, of Rego Park, New York, then transported him to the park's clinic. During the trip, A.L.'s condition rapidly deteriorated and he went into full arrest. Rangers and clinic staff began CPR and restored A.L.'s pulse. He was flown by helicopter to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was treated and later released. Although A.L. suffered an acute myocardial infarction, the damage to his heart was minimal because of rapid transport and treatment with thrombolytic drugs. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim Subdistrict, GRCA]
Just after midnight on April 13th, rangers received a report that a 14-year- old male hiker had fallen on the Clear Creek trail two miles above Phantom Ranch. They found that the boy had fallen 50 feet over a cliff from the Tonto plateau onto a scree slope and that a technical rescue would be required. Upon reaching him, rangers determined that he was suffering from an altered level of consciousness, multiple fractures, and a core temperature of 84 degrees. Attempts to evacuate him were hindered by heavy rains, winds and darkness. The rangers remained with him through the night, treating him for severe hypothermia and hypovolemia. Ranger/paramedic Tammy Keler was short-hauled by helicopter to the site at first light. The boy was extracted and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he's currently listed in stable condition with fractures to the thoracic and lumbar spine and lower limbs. The rescue, which occurred in a very rugged area of the inner canyon during exceptionally bad weather, involved the efforts of over 30 rangers, maintenance workers, and volunteer employees. The boy would have died during the night without their aggressive rescue efforts. [Charlie Peterson, Acting CR, GRCA]
On the morning of April 20th, maintenance employees Bruce Aiken and Jerry Chavez were conducting an inspection of the North Rim water pipeline when they discovered human skeletal remains at the bottom of a 380-foot cliff in the Coconino layer of the canyon. Investigation revealed that they were the remains of G.P., 20, who was the subject of a six-day search last November. The search for G.P. was begun after rangers noticed that G.P.'s vehicle had been at the North Kaibab trailhead for over a week. [Kevin Cochary, DR, North Rim District, GRCA]
F.T., 68, headed out on a hike down the South Bass trail on May 11th with plans to cover about 40 miles and to return to the rim via the Boucher trail on the 15th. When he failed to return by the 16th, his daughter reported him as overdue. A search was begun, and he was found by pilot Jerry Bohner and rangers Michael Nash and Patrick Brasington. They learned that F.T. ran out of water on May 14th, that he suffered several lapses in consciousness, and that he eventually abandoned most of his gear and set out in search of water, which he found in Turquoise Canyon. F.T. waited there for rescue, attempting to signal aircraft with a mirror. Park medic Jerry Kracht provided advanced life support, and F.T. was evacuated to the South Rim. [Craig Patterson, IC, GRCA]
Around 8 p.m. on the evening of Wednesday, June 5th, park dispatch received a call from FAA personnel in Los Angeles; they relayed a radio call for help that had been picked up by a commercial airliner flying in the vicinity of the park. The message indicated that a young man was unconscious near the Colorado River. Both the park helicopter and primary back-up helicopter were down due to mechanical problems, and the state DPS helicopter could not be dispatched due to the late hour and associated safety concerns. A commercial helicopter flew to the site the next morning. The crew reported that the 14- year-old male had died. Initial reports indicate that he may have succumbed to dehydration while hiking with a church group from Bountiful, Utah. The group's coordinator had applied for a permit to hike into the canyon from the North Rim. The permit was issued for the group to begin the hike on June 10th. No request to modify the permit dates had been received by the park. The individual to whom the permit was issued was not with the group. The county medical examiner will conduct an investigation to determine the cause of death. Other members of the hiking group were interviewed by rangers at park headquarters. No other members of the group were injured or required medical treatment. [Steve Bone, CR, GRCA]
A passenger car and a full-size tour bus collided head-on at high speed on Highway 64 at Grand Canyon Airport on the afternoon of June 6th. Nineteen park personnel responded, along with two ambulances, two fire engines, a rescue unit, and the park helicopter. Two occupants of the car were killed instantly; a third survived, but was pinned in the wreckage. He was extricated and flown by park helicopter to a hospital in Flagstaff, where he is in guarded condition with a fractured femur. The driver and one passenger on the bus were taken to the park's clinic, where they were treated for minor injuries and released. Six agencies were involved in the response. The investigation is being conducted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA]
The park's contract helicopter was returning from a medevac flight on the afternoon of June 9th when it experienced what appears to have been a series of compressor stalls in the turbine engine. The pilot was forced to make a hard landing at the South Rim helibase; although neither the patient nor attendants were injured, the pilot complained of back pain and was taken to a clinic, where he was checked and released. Damage to the helicopter was confined to the vertical fin on the tail boom and to one blade of the main rotor. Both will have to be replaced, and additional damage may be discovered when the helicopter is more closely inspected. Arrangements for repairs have been made, but the helicopter will probably be unavailable for use for one to two weeks. An OAS investigator is on scene and coordinating activities with the FAA and NTSB. The event is currently classified as an incident rather than as an accident. [CRO, GRCA]
Rangers received a report of an overdue hiker in the Cottonwood Canyon area of the park on July 6th. The hiker had reportedly run out of water the previous day and had opted to hike the two-and-a-half miles to the Colorado to replenish his supplies. He was spotted by air in the steep and narrow lower portion of the canyon. A short-haul extraction was ruled out because the canyon was too narrow for safe rotor clearance, so park medic Sypher and VIP EMT Vogelzang hiked into the rugged and exposed area. They found that the hiker had fallen 30 feet onto solid rock earlier that day and was suffering from multiple injuries and extreme dehydration. Daytime temperatures exceeded 110 degrees, affecting both the rescues and the patient. Five rescuers stayed with the victim overnight, using their own water supplies to rehydrate and cool the patient. Two of the rangers required IV therapy to stay hydrated. Rangers Herring and Vandzura accordingly made a dangerous night hike to the river for additional water. Early on July 7th, a motorized Achilles boat was flown to a beach helispot downstream from the confluence of Cottonwood Canyon and the Colorado River. Rescuers also flew in a water pump to wet down the beach area to keep flying sand from fowling the helicopter's turbine engines. Additional rescue personnel were flown to the helispot, then ferried to the confluence, where they disembarked and hiked to the scene. A sawyer team was flown in to clear a path through the brush to allow room for a litter carry to the confluence. The patient was transported from the path around a 30-foot vertical pour-off and to the river by a short haul operation, then flown to a hospital in Flagstaff and treated for a punctured lung, two broken ribs and a fractured heel. This interagency effort involved support from Arizona DPS and Kaibab National Forest staff; a total of 51 people and three helicopters were committed to the incident. [CRO, GRCA]
The South Rim received 1.86 inches of rain during a period of about three and a half hours on the afternoon of July 15th - equivalent to the total amount normally received for the entire month. This heavy rainfall was funneled down Garden Creek, which the Bright Angel trail follows. At 2 p.m., the park received a distress call from the wrangler of a concessioner mule string, saying that the group was trapped by high waters on the trail. Rescue personnel, trail crew employees and Fred Harvey wranglers went to their assistance. Another distress call was received which reported that three hikers who'd suffered injuries from falling rocks and debris were at a rest house along the trail. Rangers responded and treated them; two of the hikers were medevaced by the park's helicopter. An estimated 50 to 70 hikers were stranded at Indian Gardens, and it took until 9:30 p.m. to rescue all of them. Three had to be evacuated by helicopter. Other significant incidents during this period included three visitors struck by lightning, river concession personnel stranded in Diamond Creek by flash floods, and an assault on ranger Mary Litell. Litell provided emergency assistance to the hikers at Indian Garden and attempted to close the trail to uphill traffic. When she told visitor W.S., 48, not to attempt to cross a flooded wash, W.S. got into an altercation with Litell and attempted to push her into the flood waters. She was arrested, charged with assaulting an officer (18 USC 111), and flown out of the canyon. The charge was later reduced to interference by the magistrate; W.S. pled guilty to that charge and to disobeying a lawful order, and was fined $500. Evaluation of flood impacts on the Bright Angel trail the following day revealed that there are several areas with considerable damage. The trail remains closed from the South Rim to Indian Garden, and will probably not reopen until August 7th, depending on weather. [Patrick Hattaway, SDR; Ken Phillips, IC]
Local resident and shuttle bus driver D.G., 67, was reported overdue from an evening walk on July 14th. D.G. was last seen departing from her residence in Pinyon Canyon at 6 p.m.; she was dressed in light clothing and had no supplies with her. Park personnel were contacted at 10 p.m. and began a search for her. Fifteen searchers, including rangers, Grand Canyon Explorer scouts and Fred Harvey fire and safety personnel, looked for her throughout the night. Park safety officer Don Singer also joined the effort with his search dog, B.C. D.G. was found two and a half miles south of Grand Canyon Village at 5:45 a.m. She was treated at the park clinic for a deep avulsion sustained during her wandering. During the night, she dug a trench and covered herself with a layer of pine needles to ward off cold temperatures. [Ken Phillips, IC]
On July 16th, the park received a report that L.C., 30, and N.C., 5, were overdue from a short walk in the Shoshone picnic area on East Rim Drive. The two were last seen by L.C.'s husband at 9 a.m. A heavy rain storm which struck the park around 11 a.m. increased the urgency of the search due to the potential for hypothermia. Twelve park search personnel and safety officer Don Singer and his dog, B.C., were deployed. They found the C.'s near the south entrance station at 4 p.m. [Ken Phillips, IC]
Park dispatch received a report of a woman having a seizure on the South Kaibab trail late on the afternoon of July 17th. Rangers found 44-year-old P.D.-M. of Lake Bluff, Illinois, in full cardiac arrest. CPR had been begun by bystanders; ranger/paramedic Nancy Mecham initiated advanced cardiac life support measures, including defibrillation and administration of cardiac drugs. P.D.-M.'s pulse returned and she began breathing within seven minutes. She was carried out of the canyon and flown to a hospital in Flagstaff, where she's now reported to be in stable condition. [Charlie Peterson, ACR, GRCA]
On July 20th, North Rim rangers arrested concessions employee S.M. and seized two-and-a-half pounds of marijuana, a baggie of mushrooms and drug paraphernalia. The arrest stems from investigations conducted over the past month into increased drug use by concessions employees. Additional charges may be filed against five other occupants of the dorm room. [Kevin Cochary, DR, North Rim, GRCA]
The park received a report that three people were calling for help below the rim near Bright Angle Lodge on July 20th. Responding rangers rappelled 400 feet to the trio, who were caught on ledges at various distances from the rim. Two were lowered 80 feet to a talus slope, then escorted to the Bright Angel trail; the third, who was closest to the rim, was raised to that level. They reported that they'd left the well-marked Bright Angel trail at Kolb Seep, about three-quarters of a mile down the trail, and had then attempted to ascend the route of the trans-canyon pipeline to the rim. None was injured. [CRO, GRCA]
A Fred Harvey Company taxi driver reported a taxi missing from a company parking lot at 3:15 a.m. on July 20th. Rangers investigated and discovered that someone had also attempted to break into and steal a second taxi, which was parked nearby. Local enforcement agencies were advised of the theft. At 4:30 a.m., an Arizona state trooper found the vehicle rolled over in a ditch on Highway 89, about 90 miles from the park, and subsequently came upon J.Y., 22, of the Grand Canyon, walking along the road near the accident scene. J.Y. admitted to stealing the vehicle and was arrested. The case was turned over to the county. J.Y. is being held on $40,000 bail. [Keith McAuliffe, SDR, GRCA]
At about 10:20 a.m. on August 2nd, park visitors along West Rim Drive reported having seen an airplane disappear into the canyon near Pima Point. A park helicopter located the burning aircraft at the base of a cliff 2,500 feet below the canyon rim. Rangers were able to reach the crash site following a difficult climb, and confirmed that the pilot and sole occupant had been killed. The aircraft was largely consumed by the fire. It's thought to have been a privately-owned 1980 Mooney en route from California to Kansas. Positive identification has not yet been made. There were severe thunderstorms in the area at the time of the crash. [Charlie Peterson, Acting CR, GRCA]
South Rim rangers responded to a series of property crimes on July 28th and 29th. In the first incident, the Fred Harvey Company's personnel office was burglarized, and several hundred dollars worth of property was stolen. Then, at 2:15 a.m. on the 29th, the park received a report of windows being broken at a concession-operated laundromat. The suspects fled on foot as rangers arrived. A few minutes later, a vehicle was stolen from a nearby park residential area. It was later recovered about a half mile away with its stereo missing. Later that morning, rangers discovered two vehicles with broken windows, one of which was an unmarked vehicle assigned to a park criminal investigator. Rangers are also investigating two car clouts that occurred at the El Tovar Hotel parking lot. Investigators are focusing on the possibility that all of these crimes may have been committed by the same person(s), possibly local juveniles. The cases are being jointly investigated by the NPS and the Coconino County sheriff's office. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA]
During the period between July 29th and August 7th, a series of felony and misdemeanor property crimes occurred at the South Rim, including a stolen vehicle, an office burglary, three auto burglaries, five larcenies and seven cases of vandalism to vehicles and buildings. Two of the vehicles vandalized belonged to park law enforcement staff. Early investigative leads suggested that local juveniles and gang members were involved. An interagency investigation was begun which involved NPS rangers and criminal investigators and representatives from the county sheriff's office and the state's gang task force. Ed Tisi, 18, and two juveniles, all from the Grand Canyon, have been arrested to date. The investigation continues. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA]
On Wednesday, September 18th, President Clinton and Vice President Gore visited the park to announce the creation of the new, BLM-administered 1.8 million acre Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. A crowd of about 3,500 invited gusts and visitors listened to comments by President Clinton, Vice President Gore, Secretary Babbitt, and Robert Redford near the El Tovar Lodge on the canyon's rim. President Clinton then signed the historic proclamation at the Powell Memorial. The presidential visit - the first since President Bush's trip to the park exactly five years ago to the day - was managed under ICS, with 188 NPS, BLM and USFS personnel committed to the park and another 45 state and local law enforcement personnel outside the park. [Dwayne Collier, IC]
An interpretive ranger giving a program along the Rim trail a quarter mile west of Yavapai observation station on September 25th received a report of a fall that had occurred less than 50 feet away. The ranger notified park dispatch; rescue personnel were on scene within 13 minutes. The victim, a 70-year-old Asian male, was found about 55 feet below the rim and had died of severe head trauma. Several bystanders who had witnessed the fall had climbed down technical terrain to attempt resuscitation and had to be belayed back to the rim. [Steve Bone, CR, GRCA]
A Cessna 172 crashed adjacent to the South Entrance Road just before 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 5th, killing all four occupants. The private plane, which had been rented by the pilot, took off from Grand Canyon Airport just south of the park at 8:45 a.m. and was bound for Page, Arizona. The pilot reported that he was having difficulty gaining altitude and apparently tried to land in the road corridor. The plane caught fire upon impact. The crash was witnessed by a ranger; park, airport and other emergency response personnel were therefore on the scene immediately. The fire was extinguished, hazardous materials mitigation was begun, and the area was secured. A two-mile section of the road was closed for eight hours, but the park was accessible via a detour through Grand Canyon Village. NTSB investigators are on scene. The four occupants of the plane were European nationals. The county sheriff's office is making final identification and notifying next of kin. Media coverage was extensive. The IC was Dan Oltrogge. [Mallory Smith, GRCA]
On the evening of September 28th, South Rim rangers responded to a report of a woman vomiting blood at the Yavapai Lodge. Rangers Nancy Mecham and Kent Keller found that 32-year-old L.J. of Germany was in severe distress, having lost three to four liters of blood. They provided advanced life support treatment and she was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Flagstaff. L.J. received blood and was taken to surgery to stop the arterial bleeding in her stomach. Doctors estimated that she'd lost more than half of her blood supply, and credited rangers with saving her life. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA]
On the morning of October 12th, S.K. and W.K. were hunting bison in the Kaibab National Forest just north of the park. As S.K. approached a female he'd just shot, a bison bull emerged from nearby trees, jumped some deadfall logs and charged W.K.. The bull impaled W.K. on a horn, carried him 30 to 40 feet through the trees, and threw him another 15 feet through the air. W.K. suffered a deep puncture wound in his buttock and a possible dislocated shoulder. S.K., a paramedic from Phoenix, provided initial treatment, and was soon assisted by rangers responding from the park. W.K. was flown to a hospital in Flagstaff. The incident is considered a resource management issue for the park. Over the past two fall seasons, bison have migrated into the park from BLM lands in House Rock Valley. The herd of 70 was originally transplanted to the area from Yellowstone and is considered exotic by the park. The state manages the animals and issues hunting permits. Safety messages, copied from those used at Yellowstone, are being distributed to visitors coming through the north entrance station. [Kevin Cochary, DR, North Rim, GRCA]
J.R.M., 55, a retired linebacker from the Pittsburgh Steelers teams that won Superbowl championships in the 70s, died while hiking on the Tanner Trail on Saturday, November 2nd. Rangers were notified of his death by members of his hiking party when they arrived at the trailhead on Monday morning. J.R.M. was hiking with his son and a friend when he stopped along the trail about two miles above the river, telling them to continue on to Tanner Beach and that he would join them there. When he failed to arrive by Sunday morning, they hiked back up the trail and found him lying where he had stopped the previous day. It took the two men a day and a half to reach the trailhead and summon assistance. The cause of death has not yet been determined, but it appears that he had a history of medical problems. The death investigation is being coordinated with the county sheriff's office. [Patrick Hattaway, SDR, River Subdistrict, GRCA]
S.E.B., 30, was working in the attic of the Fred Harvey Company's retail warehouse just after noon on November 11th when she apparently lost her balance and fell through the ceiling onto the floor 15 feet below. Responding rangers found her unconscious and suffering from serious head injuries. They provided advanced life support, but she stopped breathing within a few minutes and went into cardiac arrest. She was transported to the park medical clinic, where she was pronounced dead. S.E.B. is the daughter of park employees at Grand Canyon. An investigation by the NPS and the county sheriff's office is underway. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA]
Over a six day period during the state's recent antlered deer hunting season, rangers, criminal investigators and state game and fish officers conducted a deer decoy operation on the South Rim. A remote-controlled deer decoy was employed - one of two constructed this year by rangers from the park and Delaware Water Gap NRA. Four hunters took shots at the decoy and were issued mandatory appearance citations for shooting from a roadway and for attempting to take wildlife in the park. Two were convicted and received fines and damage assessments; the remaining two cases are pending. [Franco Sidoti, CI, GRCA]
On the morning of December 1st, South Rim rangers were notified that a single-engine Piper Saratoga approaching Grand Canyon did not have enough fuel to reach the airport. As rangers and emergency apparatus responded, the pilot - C.C., 38 - radioed that he'd made an emergency landing and that no one on board had been injured. C.C. had landed the plane on a dirt road about seven miles southwest of the park, but the plane had left the road and struck brush and trees. It was a total loss. Investigation revealed that C.C. had not taken on enough fuel to make the flight from St. George, Utah, to the park. The interagency response team included units from the park, concessioner, Forest Service and county. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA]
At 3 p.m. on December 15th, park dispatch received a report that corporal Jim Coffey, a Coconino County sheriff's officer, had been shot in the arm in the community of Tusayan just south of the park. Coffey had returned fire and wounded his assailant, who had then fled by vehicle with a female companion into the nearby Kaibab National Forest. Two Grand Canyon rangers worked directly with the sheriff's office in the search operation. Roadblocks were established at all South Rim entrance points, and an in-park incident command operation was established to support the sheriff's office and to maintain a perimeter along the park's boundary. Coffey's assailant contacted several different people cutting Christmas trees within the forest, stealing one vehicle, then another. He was eventually located by helicopter and surrendered to officers at 5:30 p.m. The woman traveling with him was taken into custody; at the time of the report, it had not yet been determined whether she was an accomplice or a victim. Coffey was flown to a hospital in Flagstaff, where he underwent surgery. [Mallory Smith, GRCA]
Approximately 30 people associated with Earth First and the Southwest Center for Biological Diversity staged a protest on the South Rim on the afternoon of December 16th. They were demonstrating against a planned timber salvage operation on the Kaibab National Forest. All available law enforcement rangers were called out to assist with the incident, which was managed under ICS. Six of the demonstrators were arrested for public assembly without a permit and for failure to obey a lawful order; they were later released on cash bail. A seventh individual was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Ohio and was transported to the county jail to await extradition. [David Brennan, IC]
The park received a report of a stabbing at a hotel in the town of Tusayan, just south of the park, on the evening of December 13th. Responding rangers located and detained the suspected assailant, H.C., 59, of Cameron, Arizona, until sheriff's deputies could arrive on scene. The victim, A.C., 31, of Mesa, Arizona, had been stabbed once in the chest with a pocket knife. Rangers provided advanced life support and transported A.C. to the park's clinic, where he died of his injury. H.C. has been charged with first degree murder. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA]
On the afternoon of December 27th, South Rim rangers received an EMS call regarding a person living in a trailer in Tusayan who had attempted suicide by taking an overdose of medication. When ranger Keith McAuliffe entered the trailer, he found 48-year-old J.H. conscious, alert and lying on a bed. J.H. immediately rose to a sitting position, produced an eight- inch-long knife, and threatened McAuliffe. McAuliffe safely removed a third person from the trailer, and, after several minutes, convinced J.H. to drop the knife. He was then taken into custody by rangers and a deputy sheriff and eventually transported to a psychiatric facility for evaluation. The case is being reviewed for possible charges of assault on a federal officer. This is the fourth time in the past several weeks that rangers responding to EMS calls have had to secure violent patients or suspects before being able to safely provide medical assistance. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA]
On the morning of January 17th, the park received notification that W.K. of Phoenix, Arizona, was overdue from a hike into the canyon. W.K. was to have hiked out on the 16th. Search personnel covered a 144-square- mile area of the inner canyon which encompassed the four use areas on his hiking permit - Clear Creek, Cheyava, Trinity and Phantom Creek. A severe winter storm which struck the area last week made conditions for rescuers icy and dangerous. Initial efforts involved ground searchers, helicopters, a search dog unit and several trackers. By the 18th, there were 98 people in the field from several organizations, including the Forest Service, BLM, Border Patrol, Coconino and Yavapai counties and the park's Explorer post. NPS areas contributing personnel were Lake Mead NRA, Glen Canyon NRA, Zion NP, Saguaro NP and Organ Pipe Cactus NM. W.K. was found at Phantom Ranch that evening. He'd gone off his itinerary shortly after beginning his hike, had become disoriented, and, slowed by winter weather, had opted to continue off itinerary rather than returning by a known route. [Jennifer Kish, GRCA]
On February 10th, South Rim rangers were notified that a dog was stranded below the canyon rim near Pima Point. Rangers rappelled down to the dog, found it in good condition, and carried it back to the rim. The ledge the dog was on was 60 feet below the canyon rim, covered with snow, and was accessible only by rappelling. Rangers later learned that the dog had been reported missing by its owners a week earlier when they were visiting the park. The dog, which was blind and deaf, had apparently been stranded on the ledge without food or water for the entire week. On February 11th, the owners returned to the park and were reunited with their dog. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA, 2/12]
A 21-year-old employee of Fred Harvey, the park concessioner, walked away from her job at 9 a.m. on the morning of March 1st. She was reportedly despondent. The park subsequently received a report from hikers that a woman had fallen near the Bright Angel trail and was not moving. Responding rangers found that it was the concession employee and that she had died from injuries incurred in the fall. The death has been ruled a suicide, as tracks matching the tread on her boots were found leading to the rim, then back, then off the edge. [Chuck Sypher, IC, GRCA, 3/3]
On March 11th, rangers were notified that a single-engine King Airlines Cessna 207 with seven people on board had gone down about 25 miles southwest of the park. Rangers responded by helicopter to the crash site, which was found to be ten miles south of Cataract Canyon. The were no injuries and the plane was relatively undamaged. The pilot reported that oil had started leaking from the engine, causing smoke to fill the cockpit and forcing her to make an emergency landing. Passengers were flown from the crash site to the South Rim helibase by the park's helicopter. The interagency response team included units from the park, county and state. [Chuck Sypher, IC, GRCA, 3/14]
Park and concession engines responded to a vehicle fire at Yavapai Point at the same time as the above-noted aircraft accident on March 11th. The fire was extinguished before the vehicle could be consumed. Although no people were injured, one cat in the vehicle expired and a second was injured. Rangers provided oxygen and medical support to the latter, which responded well, and also provided CISD assistance to the owner. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA, 3/14]
On the evening of Wednesday, April 2nd, the park received a report of a downed plane with two people on board near Point Imperial on the North Rim. The pilot of the Cessna 210, which was en route from New Mexico to Nevada, had radioed in a distress call to Los Angeles International Airport, then disappeared from radar screens. The information was relayed to Grand Canyon Airport, then to the park. North Rim rangers snowmobiled to the area on Wednesday night, but found no sign of the plane. A multi-agency search was begun the following day; 40 people were committed, including county deputies and employees from the park and from Gar-Kane Power Company. Air operations were intermittent due to inclement weather. The area in which the plane is thought to have gone down is at an elevation of around 8,000 feet and is characterized by steep and rugged terrain and dense forests. The plane was not found yesterday. Search efforts will continue today. [Dispatch and River Subdistrict, GRCA, 4/3]
A portion of the wreckage of the Cessna 210 that went down in the park on Wednesday, April 2nd, was spotted from the air on Sunday. It was within the primary search ara and about two-thirds of a mile from the plane's last known point over the North Rim. Ground teams reached the plane by snowshoe and began excavation of the snow and ice-covered fuselage. They were partially successful and able to retrieve the body of one of the two victims. The passenger compartment was heavily damaged, though, and the body of the second occupant has not yet been located. Extrication efforts were to continue yesterday, and NTSB investigators were expected to arrive on scene. Inclement weather precluded search efforts last Thursday and both search efforts and air operations on Friday. Just over 100 people were involved in the search by Sunday, including dog teams, ground teams, helicopters and members of the Civil Air Patrol. [Mallory Smith, IO, GRCA, 4/7]
While returning from Page, Arizona, to his duty station at Lees Ferry on March 30th, ranger Ed Cummins was the first emergency unit to arrive at a rollover motor vehicle accident which occurred about seven miles from Lees Ferry. The Geo Metro, occupied by three Taiwanese nationals, left the road and rolled several times. Two suffered only minor injuries, but the third was ejected through the rear window of the car and died while being transported to a hospital in Page. [Patrick Hattaway, SDR, River Subdistrict, GRCA, 4/7]
On the afternoon of April 10th, South Rim rangers received a report from employees at the Bright Angel Lodge that an intoxicated person had argued with them, then threatened to get a gun from his residence and return to kill them. Investigating rangers quickly identified the suspect as 39-year-old G.Y. of Grand Canyon, and learned that G.Y. was staying at a nearby NPS employee's house. A few minutes later, the NPS employee told rangers that a loaded 12-gauge shotgun was missing from his house. Rangers located G.Y., carrying the shotgun, in a nearby alley. G.Y. complied with rangers' orders to put the gun down, but then made several movements as if reaching for the weapon. He was nonetheless arrested without further incident. G.Y. was charged with theft, disorderly conduct, possession of a loaded firearm, and being under the influence of alcohol. He later told rangers that he had planned to shoot himself; when rangers confronted him, he reached toward the shotgun several times in an attempt to force rangers to shoot him. [David Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA, 4/13]
The body of Darla Eldredge, the second occupant of the Cessna 210 that went down in the park on April 2nd, was discovered on Sunday, April 20th. Eldredge's body was found about 100 yards east of the main crash site by Yellowstone NP ranger Bonnie Gafney and her search dog, Sarena. Ground searches were discontinued shortly after the accident to permit melting of some of the snow that had fallen since the plane crashed. Low level reconnaissance helicopter flights were continued on a daily basis during that period, though, and located much of the aircraft debris, including the right wing, which was a third of a mile from the crash site. Ground crews and search dogs were sent to the site on April 19th to search the debris field. Aircraft salvage operations will commence once snow melts from the area. [Allan Picard, North Rim Unit, GRCA, 4/25]
Just past midnight on May 11th, the park received a report that a woman had apparently taken a short fall below the canyon rim near the Bright Angel Lodge in Grand Canyon Village. Responding rangers found the woman, L.S., 28, an Amfac Parks and Resorts employee, perched on the steep canyon wall about 15 feet below the rim and began preparation for a technical rescue. Before they could begin, however, L.S. fell down the near-vertical cliff out of sight. Rangers rappelled down the canyon wall and within an hour located her body about 300 feet below the rim. She was pronounced dead at the scene. L.S.'s body was recovered by helicopter Sunday morning. An investigation is underway. [IO, GRCA, 5/12]
The body of interpretive ranger D.S., 46, was found at his residence on the North Rim on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 10th. The initial investigation indicates that he took his own life. North Rim rangers began a search for D.S. after a friend notified them that he could not be found. An investigation is underway by the park and the county sheriff's office. D.S. had worked as an interpreter at the park on both rims since 1981. [Jennifer Kish, PIO, GRCA, 6/11]
A memorial service for D.S., who had worked as an interpretive park ranger on both the North and South Rims since 1981, was held on the North Rim on June 15th. His family has asked that donations be made to the Nature Conservancy in lieu of flowers. The address is: The Nature Conservancy, 1815 North Linn Street, Arlington, VA 22209. [Jennifer Kish, PIO, GRCA, 6/16]
On the afternoon of July 19th, an off-duty police officer spotted two people committing an auto burglary in the South Rim visitor center parking lot. The officer reported this to the visitor center staff, then returned to watch the suspects. Rangers arrived within two minutes and arrested E.S., 32, of Phoenix. The second suspect fled on foot and has not been found. Investigation revealed that the pair had broken into two cars in the parking lot and stolen credit cards. E.S., who has a lengthy felony criminal history and was on probation for burglary at the time of his arrest, was charged with burglary, theft and possession of stolen property. Rangers and criminal investigators are continuing efforts to identify the second suspect. [David Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA, 7/25]
On December 13, 1996, rangers responded to a stabbing at a motel just outside the park. They secured the area, detained suspect H.C., and provided EMS treatment for victim T.C. T.C. died shortly after his arrival at the Grand Canyon medical clinic. Rangers Kent Keller and Nancy Mecham later testified at H.C.'s trial. H.C. was found guilty of second degree murder this week. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA, 8/18]
North Rim rangers were dispatched to a reported mountain bike accident on a Forest Service road near the East Rim overlook on the evening of August 13th. According to the initial report, the victim was hanging over a tree limb and had sustained partial lower body paralysis. Ranger Toby Hall responded directly and was followed by the North Rim ambulance and park helicopter. Responding units discovered that the 29-year-old man from Las Vegas, Nevada, had actually slipped while climbing on Dog Point and had fallen over 30 feet, landing in dense brush. His descent was checked by a three-inch tree which prevented an additional fall of from 40 to 50 feet. Rangers stabilized and evacuated him; rescue efforts were hampered by steep terrain, dense brush and vertical exposures. Technical rescue rangers who were on an assignment several miles away responded and deployed a belay line to secure the backboard and assist in moving the victim up a steep talus slope. He was flown to a hospital in Flagstaff where he was treated for a fractured vertebra, wrist and humerus. Deficits in his lower extremities appear to be diminishing. Entrance station rangers and wildland fire personnel also assisted in the rescue effort. [Chris Fors, IC, GRCA, 8/14]
On June 1st, Grand Canyon rangers responded to a motor vehicle accident on Highway 64 about 13 miles south of the park. The vehicle involved went off the road and struck a large pine tree, which sheared off and fell on top of the vehicle. A 22-year-old woman was pinned inside and received ALS from rangers during the 45-minute-long extrication. She suffered an open femur fracture and massive lower leg injuries. The driver suffered an arm fracture. Both victims were transported to Flagstaff Medical Center. Just before the accident, a state officer had noticed the vehicle being driven recklessly and had turned around to make a vehicle stop. The accident occurred before he could do so. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA, 6/2]
Off-duty rangers Nancy Mecham and Kent Mecham were traveling on Highway 89 east of the park on June 1st when they came upon a head-on collision. They assisted state officers by triaging patients and providing advanced life support to the eight victims. Three people were killed and three more were critically injured in this accident. [Dave Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA, 6/2]
Rangers responded to a report of a stabbing at the concession employee dormitory around 11 p.m. on August 21st and found 27-year-old H.W. suffering from a deep stab wound to his abdomen. They provided ALS and transported him to the park clinic, after which he was taken to a hospital in Flagstaff. Investigation revealed that S.A., 27, had stabbed H.W. with a pair of scissors during an argument. She was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. H.W. and S.A. live together and have a past history of domestic disputes. H.W. has since been released from the hospital and is expected to fully recover. [David Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA, 8/24]
A 24-year-old Swedish woman fell about 800 feet to her death from the Toroweap Campground overlook around sunrise on August 23rd. Toroweap is a very remote area at the west end of the canyon. A visitor at the campground drove two hours to the nearest phone in Fredonia, Arizona, to call for help. Rangers arrived on scene around 9 a.m. and located the victim's body at 11:30 a.m. The body was recovered by park staff with the assistance of state and county officers. The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. [Ralph Jones, PIO, GRCA, 8/23]
While stopped above Lava Falls (a Grand Canyon class 10 rapid) on August 11th, park staff on a river patrol saw W.N. row a 22-foot Snout boat into the rapid. As the boat entered the tongue of the rapid, W.N. drifted to the right side and into a large ledge hole. The hydraulic in the hole immediately flipped the boat, throwing W.N. and his two passengers into the water. One passenger was recovered, confused and shivering, from the water on the left side of the river; the second passenger was recovered from rocks at the base of the rapid on right side. W.N. was located by a kayaker approximately a quarter mile downriver, confused and significantly chilled. The Snout was recovered a mile downriver, where rangers rigged a technical rope system to right the 2,000-pound boat. W.N. later stated later that the only thing he remembered was rowing into the rapid and then being picked up downriver. [Patrick Hattaway, SDR, River Subdistrict, GRCA, 9/4]
Rangers are searching for two people who were swept away down Phantom Creek yesterday afternoon after being caught in chest-high water from a flash flood which came down a side drainage. A third person in the party was also swept downstream for about a half mile, but was able to get to shore and walk to nearby Phantom Ranch to report his missing companions. A ground search of the Bright Angel Creek area was underway last night. A helicopter was employed until dark. About 27 people are involved in the search operation. Phantom Creek runs from the north side of the canyon into Bright Angel Creek, which then flows into the Colorado River. Scattered thunderstorms dropped rain over the park yesterday; approximately two inches fell in the North Rim area. [Grace Gifford, PIO, GRCA, 9/11]
Two German visitors were seriously injured by a lightning strike while sitting on a rock at Mohave Point at 4:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon. The man was struck directly by the lightning and sustained critical injuries; the woman received first and second degree burns over ten percent of her body. Bystanders performed CPR on the man until rangers arrived and provided advanced life support. He was later flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. The woman was taken by ambulance to the same hospital. Mohave Point is an exposed overlook on the West Rim about four miles west of South Rim Village. Although it was cloudy and there had been thunderstorms during the day, it was not raining at the point at the time of the incident. [Grace Gifford, PIO, GRCA, 9/11]
Search efforts are continuing for the two hikers who were swept away by a flash flood on September 11th. The hikers have been identified as P.M. and J.M., both 40, from New Orleans, Louisiana. The couple and P.M.'s brother, J.M., were caught by a five-foot-high wall of water which came down Bright Angel Creek. The trio saw the water coming and jumped behind a boulder for protection, but the force of the water washed them down the stream. J.M. was able to get to shore and walked the half mile to Phantom Ranch to report the incident. On Saturday, about 50 people, three dog teams and two helicopters were involved in the search effort, but the search was scaled back on Sunday due to the lack of significant clues. It will continue on a limited basis until further notice. Scattered thunderstorms struck the area on the day of the flood, one of which dropped just under two inches of rain on the North Rim - equivalent to the average rainfall for that area for the entire month of September. Several witnesses at Phantom Ranch said they saw the wall of water come down the creek and that they heard a loud rumble and could feel the ground shake as it approached. [PIO, GRCA, 9/12-14]
The two German visitors who were injured by the lightning strike on the afternoon of August 11th have been identified as H.P., 26, and J.M., 24, both from Kiel, Germany. As of Friday, H.P., who was struck directly by the bolt, was in fair condition at a hospital in Flagstaff. J.M. had been treated and was released. [PIO, GRCA, 9/12]
Around 5 a.m. on September 10th, South Rim rangers received a report of an assault with a firearm which had occurred several hours previously in a concession employee apartment complex. Rangers identified the suspected assailant as J.M., 29, a concession employee. Following an argument with his girlfriend at the Maswik Lodge bar, J.M. retrieved a loaded .38 special revolver from his apartment, then went to a nearby apartment to search for her. When the two male occupants of the apartment came out to talk to J.M., he pointed the gun at them and threatened to shoot them. J.M. then returned home and fired a single shot into the air, which evidently caused neither injury nor property damage. J.M. was arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon. The revolver was recovered from his apartment. [David Brennan, SDR, South Rim, GRCA, 9/14]
The park received a report of a missing river trip passenger late yesterday morning. The incident occurred on the Colorado River about five miles above Diamond Creek. The commercial river tour group camped along the river on Saturday evening; on Sunday morning, the person was found to be missing from camp. Members of the party searched for the person, but without luck. They then traveled by boat to Diamond Creek and reported the incident. A search was begun yesterday and will continue today. [PIO, GRCA, 9/14]
The search for a Diamond River Adventures' river trip passenger who was reported missing on Sunday, September 14th, has been scaled back due to a lack of any significant clues in the area where he was last seen. The passenger has been identified as J.F., 43, of Rock Falls, Illinois. J.F. was last seen in camp on the evening of the 13th, five miles above Diamond Creek, where the trip was scheduled to end. The park conducted a helicopter search on Sunday and began interviewing other passengers. On Monday, search operations involved 40 people from the park and four other agencies, a dog team, three trackers and two helicopters. The primary search area will now be limited to the Colorado River downstream from the camping spot. [Rod Torrez, Assistant PIO, GRCA, 9/16]
The body of 40-year-old P.M. of New Orleans, Louisiana, was discovered in the Colorado River near Tapeats Creek by passengers on a commercial river trip on September 16th. P.M. and her husband, J.M., were both swept away in a flash flood on Bright Angel Creek on September 11th. J.M.'s body has not yet been found. [Public Affairs, GRCA, 9/18]
The body of a man found in the Colorado River on September 21st has been identified as that of T.F., 43, of Rock Falls, Illinois, who has been missing since he disappeared from a rafting trip camp on the river on the night of September 13th. T.F. was last seen in the camp that evening. When he was found to be missing on the following morning, the park was contacted and a multi-day search of the river corridor was conducted. [Public Affairs, GRCA, 9/29]
The body of a man recovered in the Colorado River on October 2nd has been identified as that of J.M., 40, of New Orleans, Louisiana. J.M. and his wife, P.M., also 40, were swept away by a flash flood on Bright Angel Creek on September 11th. Her body was found in the river by members of a commercial river trip five days later. J.M.'s body was found at river mile 118 on the 21st day of the search, which at its peak involved 50 people, three dog teams and two helicopters. [Grace Gifford, PIO, GRCA, 10/4]
On September 30th and October 1st, rangers and Arizona Department of Public Safety officers conducted an inter-agency commercial vehicle inspection checkpoint at Mather Point on the South Rim. The objective was to insure the safety of passengers on the large number of tour buses entering the park. During the two-day period, 90 buses were inspected, 79 drivers were interviewed, and 223 vehicle and driver violations documented. Fifteen buses were taken out of service due to serious mechanical violations (most commonly brake problems) and seven citations were issued. Since this was the first such operation conducted at Grand Canyon, the emphasis was on correction of mechanical violations and administrative follow-up with incidental business permit holders. Based on the success of this operation, the park plans to conduct such inspections on a regular basis in the future, with a stricter enforcement posture anticipated. Ranger Kent Delbon was IC. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 10/12]
On the afternoon of October 10th, the park received a call that a visitor had fallen 30 feet in the Beaver Falls area of Havasu Canyon and was suffering from a fractured pelvis, a fractured femur and a head injury. The park's contract helicopter was dispatched to the location and dropped of advanced life support medics Andrea Lankford and Brian Wisher. The patient was treated and flown out via an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter, which was equipped for night flying. [Stephen Willis, IC, GRCA, 10/16]
V.K., 44, was walking eastbound along the shoulder of the south entrance road just west of the park's main visitor center yesterday afternoon when she was struck and killed by a passenger van owned and operated by Grand Canyon National Park Lodges. No further details are currently available. [Public Affairs, GRCA, 10/20]
On October 24th, a visitor reported witnessing someone jump from a canyon overlook at Cape Royal on the North Rim. The visitor returned to the location with a ranger. A body was seen about 600 feet below the overlook. The victim was identified as M.G., 20, of Orland Park, Illinois. The visitor said that he'd seen M.G. at the overlook, and that M.G. has asked the visitor to take a picture of him and to mail a letter located on the floor of his vehicle. When the visitor asked M.G. why he couldn't mail it himself, M.G. turned and jumped. A recovery team retrieved his body the next day. The letter was a note from M.G. to his family explaining the reasons for his suicide. [Allan Picard, North Rim Unit, GRCA, 10/27]
On the afternoon of October 27th, rangers contacted D.G. in Mather campground during an investigation into a series of thefts in the area. D.G. was uncooperative, provided false information, and refused to comply when told he was under arrest. He instead lunged for a large hunting knife on a nearby picnic table, removed it from its sheath, and fled on foot. Rangers pursued him for several hundred yards before he stopped and sat down in a campsite. D.G. refused to put his knife down and told rangers that he was not going back to prison and that they would have to shoot him. Investigation revealed that the 37-year-old D.G. was from Jacksonville, Florida, and was wanted on a felony federal parole violation warrant. Rangers and criminal investigators contained the area, evacuated the surrounding area, and began negotiating with him. After about an hour, D.G. voluntarily submitted to being arrested. D.G. had identification belong to several other people on him and a receipt for purchase of a handgun which indicated that he'd bought it with false identification. An inter- agency investigation is underway. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 10/29]
On the afternoon of Thursday, October 30th, 26-year-old M.H. of Garden Grove, California, fell about 400 feet from Yaki Point near the South Kaibab trail on the South Rim. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Due to darkness and hazardous terrain, recovery efforts were made the following morning. [PIO, GRCA, 11/5]
The owner of Lake Mead Air in Boulder City, Nevada, advised the park on November 29th that one of the company's aircraft had made an emergency landing on the Sanup Plateau near Bat Cave at the extreme west end of the park. The pilot of the Cessna 206, which had five passengers on board, had been forced to land when the aircraft developed in-flight mechanical problems. Noone was injured. A tour helicopter operating in the area evacuated the six occupants to a nearby airstrip at Grand Canyon West. Park personnel responded by helicopter and met with a company mechanic and pilot. They were able to repair a broken throttle linkage, and the 206 was successfully flown off the plateau. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 12/2]
The park received a report of a fire in a residential trailer in the South Rim trailer village at 3:30 a.m. on December 2nd. No one was inside the trailer at the time. All surrounding trailers were evacuated. Firefighters had the blaze under control within 20 minutes. No details are available on the cause of the fire. [Maureen Oltrogge, GRCA, 12/3]
On the evening of December 6th, park dispatch received a 911 call from a South Rim concession employee reporting that his housemate was threatening to kill himself. Responding rangers determined that R.O., 42, was under the influence of a combination of illegal drugs and alcohol and that he was despondent over family problems. They found fresh tracks in the snow on the Bright Angel trail leading into the canyon and shortly thereafter made voice contact with R.O.. Ranger Ivan Kassovic and a county deputy walked out on an icy ledge off the edge of the trail and found R.O. perched in a tree overhanging a sheer drop-off. They were able to talk R.O. down, then subdue him and remove him from the ledge. R.O. was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, possession of controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He repeatedly told rangers that he was planning on killing himself and that he would do so when released from jail. R.O. is currently detained in a psychiatric facility with prosecution pending. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 12/14]
On October 21, 1997, a river trip leader reported that he'd contacted a group of 30 people on a beach area in South Canyon several days previously. He said that members of the group were poorly prepared and had caused serious damage to the area, that most of them were dressed in camouflage fatigues, and that they'd referred to one of their leaders as "Colonel G." Wilderness rangers Patrick Brasington and Stephen Willis hiked to the remote trail head, which is three hours from the South Rim village, and contacted a group of 28 people just leaving the trail. The trip leaders were Dr. G.B., 38, and Dr. R.G., 52, both from The University of The Incarnate Word, located in San Antonio, Texas. The backcountry permits which they produced were not valid, as they were issued for a group no larger than eleven people. Further investigation revealed 14 resource violations, the most serious being the disposal of human waste at over 30 locations on the beach, the abandonment of property (backpacks, walking sticks, water bottles, and sleeping bags were found along the trail), the dumping of bags of trash in rock piles, the gathering and burning of vegetation in ground fires, and the creation of fire scars all over the beach. Mandatory appearance citations were issued to both R.G. and G.B., but no affiliation to a militia group was found. Last week, rangers received information of a large group camping in Salt Water Wash. The group reportedly had no permit and was led by a man named G.B. Brasington and Willis responded, located several vehicles at the trail head, and soon spotted four backpackers dressed in camouflage fatigues heading up the trail. They found that the four were from the University of the Incarnate Word and that they were members of a group of 19 led by G.B. and R.G. Neither R.G. nor G.B. had a backcountry permit. They admitted that the group had been camping for several days at the beach. Both were arrested, and an investigation is underway. The first case against the two men is still pending in court. [GRCA, 3/21]
Rangers received a report of an overdue party on the Hermit Trail around 8 p.m. on the evening of March 25th. S.C., 22, of Seal Rock, Oregon, had been left behind by her four male companions while on a day hike. An impending winter storm with rain and snow raised concerns about her ability to survive through the night. Containment, investigation and hasty teams worked through the night to find S.C. A hasty team found her off of the trail at daylight the following morning. Although she'd spent the night out without either food or shelter, she was in good health. [Matt Vandzura, IC, GRCA, 3/26]
On the afternoon of April 13th, visitors reported seeing what they believed to be a human body in the canyon behind the El Tovar Hotel. Rangers investigated and found the body approximately 400 feet below the rim. It appears that the victim, a man about 30 years old, fell from the rim and had been there for some time. His body was partially frozen into a snow bank, and may have only recently been exposed by melting snow. The victim has not yet been identified and the investigation is continuing. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 4/20]
Duane Stricklin, who managed the park's warehouse operation, died in his sleep on the morning of May 5th while visiting relatives in Missouri. Duane had worked at the park since January, 1989; prior to joining the NPS, he'd worked for the Defense Logistics Agency and the Navy. Services will be held at the Shrine of the Ages at Grand Canyon at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12th. Condolences may be sent to Museum Curator, PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. Duane is survived by his wife, N., who is a program assistant for the interpretive division, and by three children and several grandchildren. [Carolyn Richard, GRCA, 5/7]
S.F., 48, of Glendale, California, was on a one-day concession mule trip on Friday, May 8th, when the group stopped for a lunch break at Plateau Point. During the stop, S.F. fell from the point, landing 500 feet below. The fall was unwitnessed and an investigation is currently underway into the cause. This is the second falling fatality to occur in the park this year. [Mallory Smith, MA, GRCA, 5/11]
On April 26th, employees at the El Tovar Hotel reported suspicious circumstances surrounding a guest who had failed to check out as scheduled. A.G., 42, of Ontario, Canada, checked into his room on April 21st and had a reservation for six nights. When he didn't check out on time, maids entered his room and found what appeared to be all his personal property still inside. Investigation revealed that he had neither returned home nor contacted friends or family. Although A.G. was not described as suicidal or depressed, he had previously tried to commit suicide. An air and ground search of areas below the rim was begun, but no sign of him was found. Several friends subsequently received postcards, postmarked April 23rd, in which A.G. described meeting a man who offered to take him on private hikes. Despite intensive interviews, investigators have not located anyone who has seen or heard from A.G. since he checked into the hotel. Search operations have been suspended; the investigation is open but inactive, pending development of new leads. [David Brennan, IC, GRCA, 5/16]
On the morning of April 26th, rangers responded to a report of a man down on the Rim Trail west of the Bright Angel trailhead. They found 33-year-old J.F., a French national, lying unconscious very close to the canyon rim. Rangers provided advanced life support treatment and transported J.F. to the park clinic; he was then transferred to Flagstaff Medical Center. J.F. had ingested a large amount of valium. A suicide note was found in his pocket. He will be held for psychiatric evaluation after completing medical treatment. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim District, GRCA, 5/16]
On the afternoon of June 13th, park dispatch was contacted by a Los Angeles air traffic controller regarding an emergency on the Colorado River. A commercial airliner flying over the park had received a radio call regarding a "severe medical" at Stone Creek. Park medic Stephen Willis and paramedic Nancy Mecham were immediately dispatched in the park helicopter. They found that a 43-year-old woman from a commercial river trip had fallen 45 feet while taking a side hike during a stop at Stone Creek. Her injuries, which were numerous, included nine rib fractures, a spinal fracture/dislocation, internal bleeding, and respiratory distress. She was stabilized and flown directly to Flagstaff Medical Center. Her condition en route was critical due to several life-threatening injuries. The tentative prognosis is that she will be paralyzed below the waist. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 6/18]
K.L., a 20-year-old concession employee, fell 50 feet off the South Rim at Grandeur Point on the evening of June 29th. K.L. was backing up while photographing a friend when she slipped off the rim. She fell 50 feet before grabbing a small tree that arrested what would have been a fatal fall of over 300 feet. Park personnel responded immediately. A ranger and medic rapelled to her; she was then raised via litter to the rim and transported to the park clinic. K.L.'s most serious injury was a sprained ankle. Over 30 park personnel responded to this incident, which took place largely at night. [Brian Lakes, GRCA, 6/30]
On the afternoon of July 4th, visitors reported finding abandoned shoes and other property on the Rim trail west of Grand Canyon Village. Rangers investigated and found the body of N.J., 26, of Palmdale, California, about 200 vertical feet below the canyon rim. N.J. apparently fell to his death on the afternoon or evening of July 3rd. The death appears to have been accidental. Alcohol may have been a factor. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 7/7]
On July 10th, park SAR personnel had to respond to and manage several life- threatening incidents throughout the park: o A 51-year-old man with an altered level of consciousness was reported below Indian Garden on the Bright Angel trail. Two park medics were flown there by the park's helicopter to check on the possibility of heat stroke. A litter team was inserted and the patient was flown to the park clinic for treatment. o Just as the above mission was being completed, the park received a report of a 25-year-old woman who had fallen 30 feet from the North Kaibab trail at a location known as "The Box" while stepping back to take a photo. Phantom Ranch rangers ran four miles to the scene with EMS equipment and were joined by other personnel who were flown to the site. A portable radio repeater was inserted by helicopter. Monsoonal rains complicated the response. The woman was stabilized, transported by wheeled litter to the helispot, then flown to the South Rim. Her injuries included a fractured wrist, tibia and lumbar vertebrae. o During the North Kaibab incident, a ground-air radio transmission came in from the Colorado River near Quartermaster Canyon reporting severe anaphylaxis in a 46-year-old woman. Due to the distance, response time, and other on-going incidents, the park asked the Arizona Department of Public Safety's air rescue unit to respond. A helicopter was dispatched from Kingman. The woman, who was in severe distress, was evacuated to a hospital in Kingman. o While these incidents were underway, a report was received of a 20- year-old male with severe heat exhaustion at Bright Angel campground at Phantom Ranch. He was treated by park medics and flown by helicopter to the park clinic. o Park dispatch received a satellite telephone call from Hatch River Expeditions on the Colorado River at 9 p.m. reporting that a 25-year- old woman was bleeding heavily, was suffering from an altered level of consciousness, and had a systolic blood pressure of 50. An NPS paramedic interviewed the river guide to obtain detailed information. The ability to communicate via satellite telephone was critical in a decision to initiate a night, inner canyon rescue operation. Due to monsoonal activity, the park sought assistance from the 66th Air Rescue Squadron at Nellis AFB, but they were unable to respond due to lack of personnel. The state DPS air rescue unit again responded, this time from Flagstaff. The crew employed night vision goggles during the operation. The woman was treated and taken to the Flagstaff Medical Center, where she underwent surgery for a fibroid tumor. The park's SAR coordinator attributes the successful completion of these complex and urgent incidents to the preparedness and efficient response of NPS and volunteer rescue personnel. [Ken Phillips, GRCA, 7/13]
The North Rim received about an inch of rain within 15 minutes on the afternoon of Thursday, July 23rd. North Rim rangers alerted rangers at Phantom Ranch of the significant rainfall. Less than two hours later, a flash flood on Bright Angel Creek arrived at Phantom with a four-foot crest. There was a large amount of debris at the front of the flood, which was also pushing large boulders. The creek, Bright Angel campground, and Phantom were full of visitors prior to the flood's arrival, but rangers had warned visitors to stay out of the creek and watch for a flash flood. Rangers nonetheless had to rescue a young couple, a woman, and an unattended small child from the edge of the creek near the campground, and a German visitor who became trapped on a piece of land further downstream where the creek splits into two channels. Superintendent Rob Arnberger and regional director John Cook, who were in the area on an official visit, assisted in the rescue efforts and also helped calm visitors at the ranch. [GRCA, 7/27]
On July 26th, a river guide with a satellite telephone contacted dispatch and reported an emergency at the mouth of Havasu Creek. An 18-year-old girl on a Western River Adventures trip had slipped into the creek while walking across the top of a 15-foot waterfall. The hydraulic at the base of the waterfall recirculated her underwater for four minutes; she then surfaced, unconscious. A river guide restored her breathing through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but she had also sustained numerous injuries, as she'd been pummeled against rocks under the surface of the water. Park medic Stephen Willis and paramedic Ken Phillips responded in the park helicopter and treated and evacuated her to Flagstaff Medical Center, where she is in stable condition. During this incident, rangers at Phantom Ranch reported a 54-year-old woman suffering from hyponatremia (low sodium). She had vomited profusely and suffered a torn esophagus. A backup helicopter responded with paramedic K.J. Glover, who evacuated the woman, now vomiting blood, to the park clinic. Her condition deteriorated at the clinic. A Guardian Air helicopter was summoned from Flagstaff, and she was flown to the Flagstaff Medical Center and admitted to the critical care unit. [Ken Phillips, GRCA, 7/28]
Park dispatch received a report of a fire in a historic shed in the South Rim residential area shortly before 6 p.m. on July 18th. NPS and concession firefighters found that the blaze was threatening two nearby residences, a large propane tank, and power lines. The fire was confined to the shed and extinguished within six minutes. Investigation revealed that the fire was suspicious in origin and that it probably had been started by local juveniles. Shortly after midnight, firefighters responded to another structural fire, this one in a residential dormitory in Tusayan, just south of the park. Although there was smoke inside the building, no fire was found. The smoke was traced to an overheated motor in a utility room. [Dave Brennan, GRCA, 7/30]
J.S., 26, a New Zealand national, was taking photographs at Mather Point on the evening of August 17th when she fell about 50 feet from the canyon rim. She was knocked unconscious and suffered head and facial injuries. J.S. was treated at the site, evacuated via a technical litter raising, then flown to a hospital in Flagstaff. She remains hospitalized there with an apparent severe concussion. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 8/20]
A call reporting a possible drowning in Havasu Creek was received from a Wilderness River Adventures river trip around 4 p.m. on August 12th. Rangers responded by helicopter and began a search for R.T., 17, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. R.T. had last been seen at 2 p.m. that afternoon sitting alongside the creek 200 yards upstream from its confluence with the Colorado River. R.T. was on an eight-day river trip with his parents and siblings. Members of the group found his t-shirt and hat along the creek shore and one of his shoes floating in the creek half way to the river. A two-day ground search proved unsuccessful. A dive team from Glen Canyon NRA and the Arizona Department of Public Safety was flown to the site on August 13th; they found no trace of him. The search has since been scaled back. It appears that R.T. fell into the creek and drowned, or attempted to swim to the rafts at the confluence and was pulled under by the current. The incident received extensive coverage by Philadelphia news stations, including remote interviews with ICS staff. [Patrick Hattaway, DR, River District, GRCA, 8/25]
On September 6th, G.S., 32, of Hungary, fell to his death from Bright Angel Point on the North Rim. G.s. had arrived in the United States on September 1st and was visiting national parks with two friends. He stepped off the trail to a rock ledge, then fell about 250 feet. The cause of the fall has not been determined. An investigation is underway. Ron Martin was IC. [GRCA, 9/9]
On August 12th, R.T., III, 17, disappeared from a Wilderness River Adventures search while the group was stopped at Havasu Creek. Indications are that he drowned in the creek or river. Efforts to find his body continue. Additional searches of the surrounding cliffs were conducted by the park's technical rescue team on August 26th and 27th, but the primary focus continues to be the Colorado River. Air searches are being made based on prior experiences in locating drowning victims in the river. Several flights were made between September 2nd and 4th; more were scheduled for this past weekend. All commercial and private boaters are being asked to watch the river eddies below Havasu Creek. Three to five river trips pass through this area daily. Media interest was very high, but has diminished significantly. [Patrick Hattaway, DR, River District, GRCA, 9/10]
Rangers rescued a visitor who fell about 75 feet from Grandeur Point on the South Rim on the evening of September 14th. M.J.K., 65, of San Antonio, was viewing the sunset from the edge of the canyon when she slipped, fell, landed on a rocky slope, and rolled a considerable distance. M.J.K. sustained multiple traumatic injuries, but her condition remained stable throughout the ensuing technical evacuation. She was flown to Flagstaff Medical Center, where she is in stable condition. Assisting in the operation were employees from AMFAC, the park concessioner, and from the county sheriff's department; also assisting were local Explorer scouts. [Jennie Kish, GRCA, 9/15]
On September 22nd and 23rd, rangers and Arizona Department of Public Safety officers conducted commercial vehicle inspections at the South Rim. The objective was to insure that commercial tour buses entering the park were in compliance with safety regulations and incidental business permit requirements. A total of 94 buses were inspected, with 1,804 violations noted. Thirty citations were issued and 24 buses were taken out of service for major mechanical safety violations. Virtually all of the buses inspected had valid incidental business permits, although many did not have permits in their possession. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 9/24]
Rangers established a DUI checkpoint on the South Rim during the evening of September 12th - the first such operation in over five years. The three objectives were deterrence, apprehension and education. During the five-hour operation, 133 vehicles passed through the checkpoint. No DUI arrests were made, but ten drivers had measurable alcohol concentrations and 60 verbal warnings were given for failure to wear seatbelts. In subsequent interviews with employees of bars on the South Rim, rangers learned that numerous bar customers heard that the checkpoint was in progress and chose not to drive home after drinking. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 9/24]
On September 30th, BIA officers on the Supai reservation asked park SAR personnel for assistance in the rescue of a fallen hiker. A 46-year-old woman had fallen about 20 feet while descending a slippery trail adjacent to 200-foot Mooney Falls, named for an explorer who lost his life while descending on a rope that was too short. The hiker had lost consciousness and sustained multiple injuries in the fall. A doctor was summoned to the scene from the Supai clinic, and a medevac helicopter responded from Kingman. The helicopter was unable to land at the base of the falls, however, as their was no safe helispot. BIA officers asked the park for assistance with a short haul rescue, as the state police air rescue helicopter was not available. Park personnel stabilized the woman on an island at the base of the falls, then conducted a short-haul extraction. She was flown a mile up Havasu Creek to the medevac helicopter, then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center, where she was treated for a fractured vertebra, wrist fracture, and liver laceration. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 10/1]
Last spring, members of the park's law enforcement staff joined DEA's Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) and a regional interagency drug task force in an effort to check drug trafficking in and around the park and nearby Tusayan. DEA informants were brought in and numerous controlled drug buys were completed. The five-month-long operation, which focused only on traffickers, resulted in the November arrest of 17 people for drug dealing in the area, many of them part of a significant drug pipeline into northern Arizona from Phoenix and Mexico. The operation also led to the deportation of four illegal aliens, the shutting down of a document forging operation, the seizure of currency and eight vehicles, and the recovery of two stolen automatic weapons. DEA's MET units are small teams of agents who work exclusively in rural and small town settings to assist local agencies. The team provided critical staffing and funding support for this cooperative operation. [Franco Sidoti, CI, GRCA, 12/14]
Rangers and concession firefighters responded to a helicopter accident at Grand Canyon Airport just before noon on April 1st. A Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters Bell 206 taking off for a training flight lost power during departure from the terminal, struck a tree, and crashed to the ground near the main terminal building. The only persons on board were an instructor pilot and a trainee pilot, both Papillon employees. The trainee pilot was killed instantly. The instructor pilot was able to crawl from the wreckage; NPS personnel provided advanced life support treatment and transported him by helicopter and ground ambulance to a hospital in Flagstaff. He sustained possible leg and rib fractures and is in stable condition. NPS personnel also assisted with the initial investigation. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the FAA and NTSB. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim District, GRCA, 4/2]
On March 14th, park clinic personnel requested an NPS ambulance to transport a 52-year-old man who'd had a heart attack to the park helibase for a helicopter flight to Flagstaff. Rangers Glen Martin and Ken Phillips were at the clinic, preparing for the transport, when the patient became unresponsive and stopped breathing. Martin and Phillips began CPR and assisted clinic staff with an immediate cardioversion. The man was stabilized and flown to Flagstaff. At the time of the report, he was in the hospital, resting comfortably. [Dave Brennan, GRCA, 3/31]
On April 9th, the park received a request from BIA for assistance on a rescue at Beaver Falls in Havasu Creek. A 16-year-old girl had fallen and sustained pelvic and spinal injuries. The park helicopter transported a rescue team to the creek and placed a radio relay on Great Thumb Mesa. The helicopter dropped rangers Patrick Flanagan and Craig Patterson and helibase manager Craig Letz a quarter mile downstream. Upon arrival at the falls, they determined that a short-haul evacuation would be the best way to extricate the girl. She was placed in a vacuum mattress and on a stretcher, then lifted a thousand vertical feet to a helispot at the top of the Redwall Formation. An air ambulance picked her up there and flew her to Flagstaff Medical Center. Michael Nash was IC. [Ken Phillips, GRCA, 4/12]
On April 26th, R.O., 24, pled guilty in magistrate's court to one count of unlawfully taking an endangered species (50 CFR 17.82 and 17.84(j)) and one count of possessing/discharging a firearm within a national park (36 CFR 2.4(a)(1)). The charges stemmed from a March 11th incident in which R.O. shot and killed a California condor in the park, and marked the first prosecution undertaken for a violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) at Grand Canyon NP. R.O. was fined $3,200, ordered to forfeit the firearm used in the commission of the violations, placed on a year's supervised probation, and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service under the direction of the park's wildlife branch. The condor that was shot was part of the first California condor reintroduction effort outside that state. The bird was released at the Vermillion Cliffs in March, 1996. Fishermen reported finding the dead bird on a rock ledge near the river several miles downstream from Lee's Ferry. The case was under investigation by NPS and Fish and Wildlife Service special agents when R.O. turned himself in to Arizona Game and Fish wardens in Flagstaff. He told investigators that he'd gone to the river to fish with three friends on the evening of March 10th. They saw some birds flying the following morning, and R.O. companions encouraged him to see if he could hit the condor with his .22 rifle. He did. Rangers and state wardens assisted in the investigation. [Paul Berkowitz, GRCA, 4/26]
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton visited the park on May 19th to launch the Grand Canyon Greenway as a Millennium Trails event. Clinton, as honorary chair of the committee, kicked off her "Save America's Treasures" tour of the southwest by joining the park in its celebration of the greenway, a proposed series of 73 miles of trails for hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders along both of the canyon's rims. The trails will also be accessible to those in wheelchairs. The greenway, in conjunction with a light rail transit system to the South Rim and an alternative fuel shuttle system, is part of the park's overall 1995 GMP plan, which aims to decrease noise, air pollution and traffic congestion, and provide visitors with alternative methods for enjoying the park. The event was held on the north lawn of the El Tovar. About 1200 people attended. There were no incidents. Dan Oltrogge was IC. [Sandra Perl, IO, GRCA, 5/24]
Park rescue personnel were kept extremely busy with multiple SAR incidents on May 10th. The series of calls started with an afternoon request for assistance to an exhausted hiker on the Bright Angel trail, but he was eventually able to get out on his own. Fifteen minutes later, a 31-year-old female suffering from hyponatremia (a decreased concentration of sodium in the blood) was reported to be in distress a mile-and-a-half down the same trail. Just a minute later, as a response was being initiated, dispatch was contacted by staff from the Bureau Of Indian Affairs at Supai Village, who reported an injured hiker below Beaver Falls in Havasu Creek within the park. The party on the Bright Angel trail was evacuated by a backup NPS helicopter with a sodium level of 127 (the normal range is from 135 to 145). The primary NPS helicopter responded to Havasu Creek and conducted a helicopter short- haul extraction of a 35-year-old male with a broken ankle in rugged terrain. The patient was transferred to Classic Air Ambulance, which had staged nearby. Meanwhile, another advanced life support medevac was completed out of the Pipe Creek area on the Colorado River below Phantom Ranch for an 80- year-old male with dehydration. The man believed that he had driven his car to the bottom of the canyon and was hallucinating that there were objects that prevented him from moving. A second backup helicopter had to be brought in to complete the mission. During these incidents, the Bureau Of Indian Affairs called back to report a second fall victim in Havasu Creek at Mooney Falls. A 34-year-old man had suffered a possible head injury, a broken wrist, and multiple abrasions. Due to the location outside the park, the Coconino County Sheriff's Department was notified and an Arizona Department Of Public Safety (DPS) helicopter was dispatched out of Kingman. When this helicopter later developed mechanical problems en route and had to return to base, another DPS helicopter was dispatched out of Flagstaff. The remote location and lateness in the day became a concern and the NPS crew from the Beaver Falls incident was asked to handle the call at Mooney Falls. The NPS aircraft was able to land near the patient and transport him to the original staging helispot for a transfer to Classic Lifeguard, which was still standing by with the first patient. Michael Nash served as the IC for this series of calls, which occurred over a period of four hours and involved a total of six helicopters. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 5/25]
On the afternoon of June 4th, park and concession firefighters responded to a fire in a residential mobile home on the South Rim. The interior of the mobile home was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived, and was destroyed by the fire. Firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to other nearby structures and propane tanks in the densely populated housing area. The residents were not home at the time, but their pet cat died in the fire. The cause of the fire, which began in the kitchen, has not yet been determined. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 6/10]
On June 8th, an intoxicated 25-year-old male fell 20 feet from a second floor window of a building in Tusayan and landed on concrete. The park received a request for medical assistance from the county. NPS paramedic/RN Nancy Mecham, park medics Brian Lakes and Marty Johnson, and EMT Kent Delbon provided initial treatment. The man had suffered severe head and chest injuries, including a tension pneumothorax that was relieved by a needle thoracostomy. He was also intubated and IV's were established. A medevac helicopter flew him to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was last reported in critical condition in the intensive care unit. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 6/10]
On May 30th, the Sunday during Memorial Day weekend, rescue personnel at Grand Canyon were kept busy responding to several rescues. The day began with park personnel flying by park helicopter to the scene of a rescue from the previous day at North Canyon. They conducted a follow-up on the accident, in which a 50-year-old male passenger from a commercial river trip had fallen 50 feet from a dry waterfall some distance from the group's campsite. He had suffered internal bleeding, fractured vertebrae, and a possible cranial bleed. The park then received a request for a medical evacuation for a passenger on a research river trip who had sustained fractures to bones in a thumb and hand. This was followed by a helicopter evacuation of two backpackers from North Kaibab trail at Roaring Springs. One suffered from hyponatremia (low sodium), the other from significant dehydration. Neither had been able to hold down food or fluids for the previous twelve or more hours. Next was a helicopter medevac for another possible hyponatremia victim, this one from Three Mile Resthouse. When a seven year-old female local resident subsequently suffered a femur fracture in a bicycling accident, Guardian Air Ambulance was called in to the South Rim helibase for the transport due to the volume of ongoing helicopter operations. At 7:20 p.m., a satellite telephone call was received from a commercial river trip, reporting that CPR was in progress on a 50-year-old male drowning victim at mile 75 on the river. NPS Helicopter 210 was in the process of being prepared for a less urgent evacuation from Indian Garden and was reassigned to this operation. Paramedics Bill Reynolds and Phil Mennenoh responded with helicopter manager Todd Opperman. There were two large commercial river parties at the scene and total chaos reigned. The evacuation necessitated a hazardous river raft crossing with resuscitation efforts underway. Attempts to revive the patient continued in the helicopter, but were eventually terminated following radio contact with Flagstaff Medical Center. Extreme measures were taken by rescue personnel to resuscitate this patient, which lead to exceeding daylight flight limitations. Personnel aboard the helicopter found themselves flying out of the Inner Canyon in the dark, and arrived back at the South Rim helibase at 8:30 p.m. Ranger Patrick Flanagan was incident commander on these multiple incidents. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 6/13]
Park rescue personnel were kept busy by several incidents on June 28th: o A distress call was received from Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River just after 8 a.m. Park personnel evacuated a 47-year-old woman who was suffering from dehydration associated with heat exhaustion. o A hiker called from the Hermit Trail trailhead to report the discovery of the body of a female hiker on the Tonto Trail three-quarters of a mile west of Hermit Creek. The reporting party was camping at Hermit campground. He was out on an early morning walk when he came across the body of Nuria Serrat, 46, of Las Vegas, Nevada. The investigation continues, but it appears that she ran out of water and possibly died of heat-related complications during an extended five-day hike that included the Boucher and Hermit Trails. o A 49-year-old woman who was a passenger on a commercial river trip was evacuated from Phantom Ranch. She was suffering from hyponatremia (low sodium). o Two river parties advised Phantom Ranch rangers that they'd seen a red tarp with a large "H" made of rocks on it near the mouth of Red Canyon (Hance Rapids). A 51-year-old woman was evacuated with a knee injury. o A 16-year-old boy suffering from dehydration was evacuated from the Bright Angel Trail. He'd attempted a rim-to-rim hike with only three tangerines to provide fluids. He reported vomiting ten times on the way. His parents had dropped him off at the North Rim, then drove to the South Rim to pick him up. o A diabetic patient was evacuated from Phantom Ranch due to his inability to control blood glucose levels in the heat. The park's two helicopters were kept extremely busy with these multiple incidents. The high temperature in the Inner Canyon that day was 110 degrees. The IC for the fatality was Nick Herring; Dave Trevino was IC for the remaining incidents. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 6/30]
Sustained moderate to heavy rainfall - about an inch-and-a-half fell over 24 hours - caused flash floods and led to a rock fall and trail washouts on the Bright Angel trail on the afternoon of July 14th. Forty people were stranded at the mile-and-a-half rest house, 15 at the three-mile rest house, and 30 at the Indian Garden campground. Four people were injured, including a park employee. One of the four, a hiker who was on the North Kaibab trail, reported having to dodge what he described as "head-sized" rocks; he was hit in the leg by one and sustained a fracture, but was able to walk another two miles on his broken leg before reaching help. Another severe storm cell with heavy rain and lightning passed through the area during the night, causing significant trail damage and a pipeline break on the North Kaibab trail. An additional inch of rain fell on Indian Garden. The incident management team is conducting a thorough damage assessment to determine how the park will make repairs. The Bright Angel and North Kaibab trails and Indian Garden campground are closed pending completion of a detailed assessment. [CRO, GRCA, 7/15]
On the morning of July 7th, park dispatch received an urgent report of two visitor injuries near Roaring Springs on the North Rim. Park maintenance employee Bruce Aiken responded from the Roaring Springs pump house and advised that a father and son - J.M., 45, and B.M., 12, both from Mesa, Arizona - had fallen and that both had sustained multiple fractures. The M.s had been part of a mule ride to the springs. During the lunch break, they walked over to the edge of a waterfall. The father evidently slipped on the wet rock and fell about 15 feet, landing on large boulders in the creek bed beneath the waterfall; his son fell an equal distance when he went to investigate. Phantom Ranch ranger Ivan Kassovic and park VIP Michael Polletta were flown to a helicopter pad near the pump house, then hiked to the scene. Rangers Ken Phillips, Matt Walls and Bill Vandergraff were then flown in from the South Rim. B.M. was found to be wedged between large boulders directly beneath the cascade of a waterfall and suffering from a severely angulated humerus fracture. He could only be extricated after receiving morphine for his pain. A short-haul evacuation was initiated because of the difficult access, terrain and patient injuries. Three North Rim firefighters were flown in to assist, and medical equipment was transported to the site via sling load. B.M. and Phillips were short- hauled to the pump house pad, then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center in a Classic Lifeguard Air Ambulance helicopter. J.M. was then short-hauled out and flown to the center in the park helicopter with ranger/paramedic Phil Mennenoh. The operation was conducted in light rain and impending thunder storms. Spotters were placed at the head of Roaring Springs Canyon to warn of any flash flooding. Three helicopters and approximately 25 people were involved with the incident. Ranger Paul Downey served as incident commander. [Ken Phillips, GRCA, 7/10]
A Cessna 177B took off from Grand Canyon Airport with three people on board just after 2 p.m. on August 3rd. The plane went down for unknown reasons a mile north of the airport, killing two of the occupants. The third person was flown to the hospital in Flagstaff by the park helicopter and is in satisfactory condition. [Sandy Perl, IO, GRCA, 8/3]
On the afternoon of August 3rd, a Cessna 177B took off from Grand Canyon Airport with three people on board. An eyewitness reported that the plane's engine was running at low RPMs and that the plane was flying very slowly. It crashed into a wooded slope a mile outside the park's boundary. Park firefighters and EMS personnel were first on scene. They found that the pilot had been killed on impact, but were able to extricate two trapped Swiss passengers from the twisted wreckage. The male passenger died on scene of severe traumatic injuries despite protracted efforts by park paramedics and ALS personnel. The female passenger was stabilized and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. During her evacuation, a large dry chemical fire extinguisher exploded, covering all rescuers in a cloud of white dust. Many rescuers suffered respiratory, eye and skin irritations. A decontamination unit was set up; some rescuers were taken to a nearby medical clinic. Ranger Kent Keller was IC for the multi-agency response to the crash. [Kent Delbon, Lead Ranger, South District, GRCA, 8/4]
Sustained moderate to heavy rainfall - about an inch-and-a-half fell over 24 hours - caused flash floods and led to a rock fall and trail washouts on the Bright Angel trail on the afternoon of July 14th. Another severe storm cell with heavy rain and lightning passed through the area that night, causing significant trail damage and a pipeline break on the North Kaibab trail. The Northern Arizona interagency Type II team took over management of the incident - named "Monsoon '99" - on the evening of the 16th. By mid-day on the 17th, six Arizona hot-shot crews and four helicopters had been assigned to reconstruction of park trails. A Sky Crane arrived on July 20th to transport a bulldozer, other heavy equipment and large amounts of dirt to the North Kaibab trail. The hot-shot crews were ordered off the incident on July 22nd to work on western wildfires. Several crews were subsequently flown in as replacements. Work on the Bright Angel trail was completed on July 23rd; the South Kaibab trail was completely reopened on July 24th. Work was continuing on the North Kaibab at the time of the report. A 20-person Hopi crew was rebuilding a significant wall to protect both the trail and water line. At the peak of the incident, 230 people and five aircraft were assigned to the incident. [Patrick Hattaway, DR, River District, GRCA, 7/30]
On August 2nd, three concession employees from the North Rim Lodge - A.A., R.T. and D.G. - set off to go rock scrambling and exploring below the canyon rim at the Cape Royal overlook. None had any technical climbing experience. They climbed down several hundred feet over broken talus slopes until they reached a 50-foot cliff, at which point they decided to return. As they began their ascent, A.A., who was in the lead, was struck in the head by a "water cooler sized rock," knocked backward, and fell 50 vertical feet. R.T. scrambled up to the canyon rim and grabbed a tow strap and electrical extension cord from their vehicle to use as a makeshift rope. Before returning, he told a visitor to get help. An interpretive ranger was contacted at the Walhalla overlook and responded. Richard Wise, an off-duty Los Angeles firefighter who was visiting Cape Royal at the time, was instrumental in sizing up the accident for park dispatch. North Rim ranger Joel Ellis assisted D.G., who was in an exposed position 200 feet below the rim. Ranger Ron Martin, maintenance employee Kelly Confer and North Rim wildland firefighters soon arrived on scene with technical rescue equipment, and rescue personnel were dispatched from the South Rim in a park helicopter. Ranger/IEMT Matt Vandzura and ranger Dave Desrosiers were lowered to the accident site. A.A. was immobilized in a vacuum mattress and bauman bag stretcher, then lifted by short-haul to the rim and transferred to a medevac helicopter for transport to Flagstaff Medical Center. Desrosiers and R.T. were then short-hauled out. Meanwhile, Confer rigged a fixed line to allow D.G. to ascend to the rim. Although A.A. suffered several lacerations, he was somewhat miraculously uninjured otherwise and was released after 24 hours of observation. Ranger Ron Martin was IC. [Ken Phillips, GRCA, 8/5]
On the night of July 31st, rangers received a report that a man at the El Tovar Hotel was not feeling well. EMTs were on scene within ten minutes and began an assessment on I.F., 65, a British national. I.F. condition deteriorated quickly. Ranger Rosie Peragine and paramedic Phil Mennenoh treated I.F. and transported him to the park clinic. I.F. went into cardiac arrest just after arriving at the clinic. Mennenoh and clinic staff successfully defibrillated him and he was flown to Flagstaff Medical Center for further care. He was reported to be doing well at the time of the report. [Kent Delbon, Lead Ranger, South District, GRCA, 8/4]
A 22-year-old German visitor on a trail between the South Rim visitor center and the canyon rim was robbed around 8 p.m. on August 15th. A lone male appeared suddenly out of a forested area and forcefully took the visitor's camera (valued at over $1,000), then fled on foot. When the victim followed him, the man threatened him with a knife. Rangers searched the area for about two hours, but found no sign of the suspect. Other than a general description of the man, there are no leads in the case. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 8/16]
Wilderness District rangers Patrick Flanagan and Patrick Brasington, archeologists Steve and Linda Moffitt, and Tuweep ranger Claire Roberts made an extended resource management monitoring trip into a major drainage on the north side of the canyon last January. On the night of January 9th, they spotted an illegal campfire in the distance. While investigating it the following morning, Flanagan and Brasington saw and contacted two people who were collecting archeological artifacts. They also learned that there were three other people with the group and that they were hiking on a different route. Roberts hiked out, drove to the other trailhead, found and contacted the trio, and determined that they'd committed violations as well. A thorough and involved five-month-long investigation ensured. An NPS criminal investigator provided guidance; assisting were a representative from a special NPS ARPA task force and another from the U.S. Attorney's Office. NPS staff from many areas contributed to development of the case against the five. AUSA Camille Bibles put together the prosecution, which led to the first ever ARPA convictions at the park. Convictions were as follows: o J.C. - Possession/removal of archeological resources (16 USC 470 - ARPA), possession/removal of objects of antiquity (16 USC 470 - Antiquities Act), theft of public property (18 USC 641), failure to obtain backcountry permit (36 CFR 1.6), maintaining a ground fire (36 CFR 2.13), and preservation of natural, cultural and archeological resources (36 CFR 2.1). He was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution and banned from the park for three years. o B.G. - Same charges, plus interfering with agency functions/false information (36 CFR 2.32). Same penalties. o B.H. - Possession/removal of archeological resources (16 USC 470), failure to obtain backcountry permit (36 CFR 1.6). o S.R. - Failure to obtain backcountry permit (36 CFR 1.6). o D.R. - Failure to obtain backcountry permit (36 CFR 1.6). [Nick Herring, DR, Wilderness District, GRCA, 8/17]
On the afternoon of August 19th, G.C., 25, of Sarasota, Florida, visited Moran Point overlook on East Rim Drive. While there, he had some visitors at the overlook take photos of him as he clambered out on to a detached rock promontory. The visitor continued to take pictures as G.C. walked back. At the top of an exposed cliff edge, he stumbled and fell out of site. Dispatch was notified via a cellular phone call, and a technical rescue effort was initiated. Ranger Nancy Mecham rappelled over 300 feet in an attempt to locate G.C., but was unsuccessful. Due to severe weather, impending darkness, and the certainty that the fall was fatal, operations were suspended for the night. G.C.'s body was recovered by helicopter the following day from a point 875 feet below the rim. The photographs taken with G.C.'s camera provided investigators with documentation of the actual fall. Patrick Brasington served as IC. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 8/30]
The park received a report of a large motorized raft stranded in the middle of the river below Crystal Rapids on August 20th. The 40-foot J-rig, operated by Western River Expeditions, had been negotiating the rapids when a juvenile passenger fell off the bow and became entangled in ropes. The guide cut the engine and worked to free the passenger. By the time that was accomplished, the five-ton raft had lodged firmly on rocks. A reconnaissance was conducted via the park helicopter, and it was determined that there were 23 uninjured passengers and crew on board the raft. Ranger Nick Herring was lowered to the raft, and the passengers were extracted by short haul. They camped with other raft parties in the area that night. Twelve were flown out of the canyon the next day at their request; the remainder continued down the river in another Western River Expeditions raft. Staff from Grand Canyon and Glen Canyon NP worked to remove the raft on August 22nd. Lower river flows made the removal even more difficult. The raft was partially folded with the assistance of technical rigging, then dragged free by another Western River Expeditions raft sent down to assist in the operation. During this recovery operation, an upstream spotter advised all passing boat traffic on what was going on. Despite being warned, a solo cataraft operator completed his run of Crystal Rapids, then rowed directly at the disabled J-rig. He became pinned against the J-rig and was being sucked under it when the recovery team pulled him free and removed his craft. Marty McCaslin was IC. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 8/30]
On August 29th, park dispatch received a report of a 54-year-old concession employee who had become unconscious after choking on food in his cabin. Ranger/EMT's and paramedics were dispatched to the cabin. The first rangers on scene found that the victim was not breathing and had no pulse. They applied the Heimlich maneuver and attempted revival with an automatic electronic defibrillator (AED). Neither was effective. They then employed a forceps and laryngoscope to remove over six inches of red meat and chicken from his throat, performed a needle cricothyrotomy (an incision to allow air into his throat), then intubated him. Despite all these efforts, the man later died at the park clinic. [Kent Delbon, Lead Park Ranger, South Rim District, GRCA, 9/3]
M.L., 67, a night auditor at Grand Lodge on the North Rim, failed to report for work at 11 p.m. on October 8th. On October 11th, lodge managers reported that she'd failed to show up for several shifts and that they were worried about her well-being. A hasty search was conducted on the 11th, focusing on back roads and scenic overlooks. No sign of M.L. or her Toyota pickup was found and M.L. was listed as missing in NCIC. On the 12th, the park received a report of a Toyota pickup about 200 feet down a steep ravine in heavy brush off one of the North Rim's scenic roads. The heavily damaged truck was M.L.'s; her body was found about 70 feet from the truck further down the ravine. The investigation continues. [GRCA, 10/15]
On September 29th and 30th, rangers conducted a commercial bus inspection operation on the South Rim in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The goal of the operation was to ensure safety for park visitors by detecting mechanical and driver violations on tour buses entering the park. A total of 65 buses were inspected; eight were taken out of service for serious mechanical violations, one driver was placed out of service for a license violation, and eleven citations were issued. One bus was taken out of service on both days due to leaking air brakes which had not been repaired as directed. Another company was cited for carrying unauthorized hazardous materials after extra bus batteries were found stored in the baggage compartment of a bus. NPS concessions management staff also checked for compliance with incidental business permit requirements during the inspection. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 10/8]
South Entrance Station personnel reported that the driver of a vehicle entering the park on the morning of October 26th had failed to pay the entrance fee. Rangers found the vehicle near Mather Point and determined that it had been stolen in New Hampshire. When they attempted to stop it, the driver - later identified as R.A., 19, of Hampton, New Hampshire - fled southbound at a high rate of speed. Rangers, county deputies, DPS officers and park and DPS helicopters pursued the vehicle for about 30 miles before the pursuit ended when the car was disabled by tire spikes. R.A. was arrested and charged with unlawful flight and possession of a stolen vehicle. A 17-year-old female runaway was also arrested and charged with unlawful use of a vehicle. The investigation continues. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim, GRCA, 10/26]
On September 30th, a 66-year-old woman collapsed suddenly at the park train depot. Rangers found her in cardiac arrest and began CPR. Within minutes, she was defibrillated, intubated and hooked up to intravenous lines. Her pulse was restored and she regained consciousness. She was then flown by park helicopter to a regional hospital, where she recuperated and is reportedly doing well. Rapid defibrillation by rangers and the team effort led by paramedics Phil Mennenoh and K.J. Glover have been cited as primary reasons for her recovery. This success was repeated twice more during the ensuing week. On October 3rd, a 70-year-old man at the Quality Inn called the park's 911 number and reported shortness of breath. While Glover and EMTs were conducting an initial assessment, he stopped breathing and became pulseless. Both were restored through CPR and advanced life support measures. The man was flown to the hospital in Flagstaff and admitted to intensive care. On the 4th, Mennenoh and park medic Brian Lakes resuscitated a 72-year-old man with a life-threatening heart arrhythmia. His heart was externally paced and pulse and blood pressure were restored. He was also flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. All three cases involved resuscitation of patients who were either clinically dead or near death. [Sherrie Collins, Chief, Branch of Emergency Services, GRCA, 10/27]
Rangers received a report of a man with a broken back on the New Hance trail on November 12th. The 45-year-old man had been hiking alone when he lost his footing and fell about 20 feet, fracturing his lower back. He yelled for help for four days, but without luck. A river touring group spotted him lying near New Hance beach and radioed for help. Ranger/ paramedic Phil Mennenoh and IEMT Brian Lakes flew to the beach in a park helicopter and treated the man, who was then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. He is recovering there from a lumbar fracture of the spine. [Sherrie Collins, GRCA, 11/22]
On the morning of November 30th, rangers made a traffic stop on a vehicle speeding through the park school's school zone. The driver was given a warning. The vehicle, a 2000 Buick, came back as stolen from the state of New Jersey just as the rangers were clearing from the stop. Ranger Tammy Keller relocated and stopped it and arrested the driver, who was from Compton, California. [Kent Delbon, Lead Ranger, South Rim District, GRCA, 12/2]
On August 27, 1998, AMFAC concession employee R.T. was on a date with another AMFAC employee. During the course of the evening, R.T. forced the woman to have intercourse with him, then apologized to her and allowed her to leave. The woman then reported the rape to rangers, who investigated. R.T. was indicted by a federal grand jury for aggravated sexual abuse. On August 3rd, R.T. pled guilty in federal district court to abusive sexual contact (18 USC 2244(a)(2)), a class C felony. R.T. was remanded to prison for 10 months, which will be followed by a year's supervised probation. He must also register as a sex offender in any state in which he resides or holds a job. [North Rim, GRCA, 12/2]
The park was contacted on January 4th and advised that staff should prepare for an overnight presidential visit on January 10th to announce a "significant environmental decision." The park accordingly activated ICS and put together a team comprised of personnel from the park, Forest Service and BLM under IC Sherrie Collins. President Clinton arrived on the specified date, becoming only the second "in office" president to spend the night inside the park at the El Tovar Hotel. On January 11th, the 92nd anniversary of Teddy Roosevelt's proclamation creating Grand Canyon NM, the president and other dignitaries flew to Toroweap Valley, where he signed the proclamations creating or enlarging four national monuments (see the January 12th Morning Report). The presidential party then returned to the South Rim helibase and proceeded by motorcade to Hopi Point for a formal ceremony. The event ran very smoothly, with no significant incidents. More than 260 people from ten agencies and two branches of the military participated along with about 100 members of the Secret Service. SET teams from Intermountain and Pacific West Regions and personnel from neighboring parks (Glen Canyon, Zion, Lake Mead, Petrified Forest and Pipe Springs) provided assistance on very short notice. Further information and photographs can be found at www.az.blm.gov. [Pat Hattway, DR, River District; Sherrie Collins, IC; Maureen Oltrogge, PIO; GRCA, 1/19]
J.P., 22, was fishing in the Colorado River with two companions on the afternoon of January 29th when he had a seizure and fell into the water. His body was recovered the following evening. The cause of death has not yet been determined. [Matt Vanduza, IC, GRCA, via Dispatch, SHEN, 2/1]
On January 27th, rangers on the South Rim investigated a series of concession hotel room thefts. Cash, ranging in amounts from $80 to $200, was taken from the suitcases of numerous victims. Rangers determined a likely suspect and MO and set up a sting operation with the assistance of a park special agent and the cooperation of the hotel. Marked bills were placed in a suitcase in a hotel room that appeared to be occupied. A hotel maid entered, cleaned and left the room. She was contacted shortly thereafter and found to have over $900 in cash inside one of her boots. The maid admitted stealing money from six different hotel rooms that day. She has been charged with six counts of larceny. [Kent Delbon, Lead PR, South Rim District, GRCA, 2/10]
On February 22nd, rangers received a report that an AMFAC concession employee had failed to show up for work for two days. They checked his dorm room and found the body of the 57-year-old man, still seated in front of his computer. It appears that he died of natural causes. [Kent Delbon, Lead Park Ranger, South Rim District, GRCA, 2/24]
On February 27th, park staff were advised that Dr. G.R., 41, was two days overdue from a solo, four-day hike in the canyon. G.R., an anesthesiologist, failed to show up in Las Vegas for a medical conference. The park began a search the following morning, utilizing two NPS helicopters, ground searchers, and river patrol rangers. Search efforts were concentrated in the area between Indian Garden and the Hermit Creek drainage. G.R. was found in the upper section of the drainage, where he'd bivouacked after becoming lost. He'd started a small brush fire the previous day in an effort to attract attention. Hikers found him when they went to the site to suppress the fire. Ranger Matt Vandzura was incident commander. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 3/6]
On March 19th, North Rim rangers received a report of an injured hiker on the North Kaibab trail and discovered that 22-year-old R.Z. of Cincinnati, Ohio, had tripped and fallen 20 feet down a switchback, sustaining ankle, head and facial injuries. He was also suffering from mild hypothermia, as he was wearing only jeans and did not have a shirt on. R.Z. had been able to crawl back onto the trail and uphill after the accident, covering several hundred yards before he was found by the two hikers who contacted rangers. Due to his injuries and snow and ice on the trail above the site of the accident, a short-haul evacuation was done by the park helicopter and South Rim personnel. R.Z. was transferred to a Classic Lifeguard helicopter and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was admitted with bilateral heel fractures, a fractured nose, and an L-3 compression fracture. Nighttime temperatures on the North Rim are currently in the teens, and a significant and extended snowstorm was in the forecast for that night. It's unlikely that R.Z. would have survived the night if he hadn't been found by the hikers. [Jeff Martinelli, IC, GRCA, 3/22]
Park dispatch received a call from an employee at 1 p.m. on March 28th reporting blue-gray smoke issuing from a historic home undergoing rehabilitation. First units were on scene within two minutes and found that the front half of the three-bedroom was fully engulfed in flames. Two park and concession fire engines responded along with rescue and ambulance units; a mutual aid response from the community of Tusayan was also requested. Although the fire was contained within 20 minutes, firefighters had to contend with several hazards. The painting contractor initially reported there were several 25-pound propane cylinders in the structure. These were fueling heaters used to accelerate the drying of oil-based latex wall paint and were in the same room with containers of paint thinner and other cleaning chemicals. Responding personnel could hear the venting of propane, but it was only after the active fire was suppressed that the source was identified as three 100-pound cylinders, all of which were charred. The rehabilitation of the structure was originally funded at $150,000. The park is now reviewing the contractor's responsibility for starting the project over and their liability for replacing PPE contaminated by large amounts of oil-based latex paint. Final determination on the cause of the fire is pending. ]Patrick Hattaway, Acting Chief, Branch of Operations, GRCA, 3/29]
On February 26th, ranger Phil Mennenoh was notified that a guest at the Bright Angel Lodge had failed to retrieve his property from a room. R.V.R., 28, a resident of the Netherlands, had last been seen on the South Rim on February 21st. He was traveling solo through the United States for several months and had recently hiked to Phantom Ranch. Investigation led to the discovery that R.V.R. suffered from galactosemia, a rare disease in which the victim is unable to convert galactose to glucose due to a missing enzyme. Galactosemia frequently causes brain damage and may lead a victim to make "strange decisions." On March 30th, a body was spotted several hundred feet beneath the South Rim by the crew of the park's helicopter. The remains were subsequently identified as R.V.R.'s. Park staff rappelled to the scene and employed a helicopter sling to remove the remains. Mark Law was IC. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 4/13]
During a flight out of the canyon on March 28th, NPS helicopter pilot Eddie Thoroughgood spotted a vehicle inside the canyon, about a thousand feet below West Rim Drive at a point known as The Abyss. Subsequent reconnaissance flights confirmed the location of a severely demolished Toyota, which had left a debris trail as it struck several times before coming to rest. A technical recovery team of rangers reached the site the next day and found a body along the debris trail. The victim has been identified as K.W., 28, of Phoenix, Arizona. It's believed that the accident occurred around February 20th. The body was removed; the vehicle will be recovered by helicopter at a later date. Patrick Flanagan served as IC. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 4/13]
A Kenai Helicopters Bell 206-L helicopter with seven people aboard crashed during takeoff from Grand Canyon Airport around 9 a.m. on April 18th. The helicopter was departing on a scenic tour flight over the park when it lost power while about 300 feet above the ground and crashed onto a taxiway south of the airport terminal. Rescue personnel and apparatus from the park and eight other agencies responded and transported the pilot and six passengers to local hospitals. None had life-threatening injuries. It was partly cloudy and strong winds were blowing at the time of the accident. The FAA and NTSB are investigating. [David Brennan, DR, South Rim District, GRCA, 4/19]
On the evening of May 24th, park dispatch received a call from an emergency satellite phone at Tuweep, a remote North Rim location. The caller reported that 16 hikers were in trouble on the difficult Lava Falls route. The group, all of whom were from Lehigh College in Pennsylvania, were part of a Horizon Training Services advanced leadership forum. Temperatures during the day had been over 100 degrees. Six made it out and contacted a visitor, who made the call. Two of the six had altered levels of consciousness; many of the ten hikers below the rim were reportedly in and out of consciousness and others were vomiting. North Rim rangers responded by vehicle, but it took three hours to arrive on scene. They contacted one of the remaining ten hikers, who had made it out. He reported that the other nine had hiked back to the river to spend the night and that there were no immediate life-threatening medical problems. At first light, an Arizona DPS helicopter flew all nine back to the trailhead. One was then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center with a knee injury. None of the remaining 15 required medical attention. Over 20 interagency rescuers responded from the park, Mojave County and Colorado City and were supported by three helicopters, one each from the park, DPS, and Classic Lifeguard Helicopter. [Jeff Martinelli, IC, GRCA, 5/26]
On May 25th, rangers received a report that 61-year-old J.O. had failed to return from a day hike in the canyon. His cousin advised that he planned on hiking down the South Kaibab trail, across the Tonto trail , and back up the Bright Angel trail. J.O. had only two small water bottles, no food, no flashlight, no map and no extra clothing. Temperatures in the canyon that day ranged from 111 degrees during the day to 102 degrees at night. Rangers established containment points at the South Kaibab and Bright Angel trailheads and swept the three trails. No sign of J.O. was found. An aerial search ensued on the following morning, but initial efforts were fruitless. Rangers familiar with the history of lost people in this area made a second flight of the area and this time spotted J.O.. He was found to be suffering from severe dehydration and was hallucinating. He had also been hiding from searchers, who he thought were "bad guys." J.O. had water in one of his bottles, but told rangers he hadn't drunk it because a man sitting next to him said it was bad water (J.O. was found alone). He was flown out and treated at a local medical facility. Doctors said that he would not have survived another day if he hadn't been found. [Patrick Brasington, IC, GRCA, 6/12]
Just before dawn on May 28th, visitor M.A. fell 40 feet while trying to retrieve his camera, which had fallen over the edge near the Cape Royal scenic overlook on the North Rim. Rangers rappelled to M.A., secured him so he wouldn't fall any further, and provided advanced life support. M.A. was evacuated by helicopter short-haul, lowered to the Cape Royal parking lot, then taken by private air ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was admitted with internal injuries and rib fractures. Lindy Allee was incident commander. [GRCA, 6/3]
A 47-year-old Belgian man collapsed on the Tonto Trail two miles west of the Bass Trail intersection on June 5th. His companions hiked to the river to get water and asked members of a river trip for help. Rangers received the satellite call for help at 4:30 p.m. The caller said that the man was unconscious and barely breathing. Rangers in the park's helicopter were responding to another medical incident at the time; the helicopter was diverted and landed near the Belgian hiker within 20 minutes of receiving the initial call. The hiker was pronounced dead at the scene. He was a member of a party of four that had begun their hike into the canyon on May 30th. The cause of death was heart failure due to heat and stress. [Jennifer Flynn, IC, GRCA, 6/6 and 6/15]
Park dispatch received a satellite phone call from Arizona Raft Adventures around noon on June 12th, reporting that one of their 30-foot motor rigs had wrapped up on rocks below Crystal Rapids. The raft's prop had evidently shattered when it hit a rock on the upper portion of the rapid; the raft then drifted into the rocks. The park helicopter was diverted to the scene from a lower priority mission. Rangers found that the raft was stuck among several large rocks in the middle of the river, but that it was in a stable position and that none of the 17 persons on board was injured. The river flow at the time was a constant 8,000 cubic feet per second. A short-haul operation was deemed the most expeditious method for extracting passengers and crew. Two rescuers were short-hauled to the raft, where they briefed and rigged the passengers, who were then lifted to shore. They were flown from the bank to the South Rim by a helicopter that had been assigned to the Outlet Fire. Salvage operations were to be attempted by company personnel under the supervision of rangers. The river flow is projected to continue at 8,000 cfs through the summer; similar incidents are therefore anticipated. [Bil Vandergraff, GRCA, 6/14]
Concession employee R.K.V., 52, was arrested on June 20th for felony assault after investigating rangers learned he had held a knife to the throat of a 28-year-old man, then cut his hand. Both were concession employees at the North Rim lodge. The victim reported the incident to his supervisor, but rangers did not receive the report until about twenty hours later. Park Police officers on detail for fire closure enforcement on the North Rim assisted in the 450-mile round trip transport to the jail in Flagstaff. The motive for the assault is unknown, but alcohol or other drugs may have been a factor. [Joel Ellis, PR, North Rim, GRCA, 7/3]
A Tour West motorized raft carrying three crew members and 15 passengers got stuck on a rock at Horn Creek rapids early on the afternoon of July 8th. The trip leader contacted the park via satellite phone and asked for assistance. It took three helicopter trips to get short-haul and river rescue personnel on scene, and a total of ten short-haul lifts to evacuate the passengers and crew to the shore. A second helicopter flew all of them to the South Rim. Seven park rescuers spent the night on the beach because of the onset of darkness. The raft became dislodged sometime that evening and floated about a mile downstream. The Tour West crew was flown by helicopter to that location, boarded the raft, and continued down the Colorado. [Michael McGinnis, IC, GRCA, 7/11]
At 8:30 a.m. on the morning of July 22nd, a 45-foot concession jet boat from Canyon Jetboat Service struck a submerged sandbar while traveling up the Colorado River. Two of the three passengers were thrown forward and received injuries. The vessel operator fired four smoke flares in his attempts to signal overhead aircraft for help. One passenger complained of chest pains, had difficulty breathing, and stopped breathing entirely 90 minutes later. He also had no pulse. The vessel operator and another passenger performed CPR for over an hour. The operator was finally able to signal another boat to send for help. An Arizona DPS helicopter responded at 11:20 a.m., and rangers Thane Weigand and Larry Stafford from Lake Mead and Chris Mengel from Grand Canyon headed there by boat. A paramedic from the DPS helicopter pronounced the man dead at the scene. The other injured passenger was taken by helicopter to the hospital in Kingman for medical treatment and evaluation. The vessel and deceased were removed from the sandbar. The accident site was in remote part of the park. All those on scene had extreme communications difficulties and were unable to radio out for additional resources on numerous occasions. [Chris Mengel, IC, GRCA, 8/4]
On July 22nd, Lake Mead NRA rangers Thane Weigand and Marc Burt and Grand Canyon NP ranger Chris Mengel responded to a report of an aircraft emergency landing near Pearce Ferry. The twin-engine Piper Navajo tour plane from Boulder City had lost one of its engines over Grand Canyon. The pilot attempted to fly to emergency landing strips in the area, but the plane continued to lose altitude over the next 40 miles of travel and he was unable to climb to the altitude of any of those strips. He therefore landed on a beach across from the South Cove launch ramp. Neither the pilot nor any of his nine passengers was injured. The aircraft will be removed in a salvage operation. [Thane Weigand, IC, LAME, 8/4]
On August 12th, an employee at the park's south entrance station reported that a truck had gone through the gate at a high rate of speed and without paying the entrance fee. Ranger Kent Delbon attempted to stop the truck a few miles within the park's boundary, but the driver of the truck turned around and attempted to flee. Delbon followed for a quarter of a mile, then backed off when he determined that the driver was evidently impaired. The truck hit a signpost on a median just north of the entrance station, then collided with one of the entrance station booths, flipping the truck onto its side and causing structural damage to the entrance station. Four NPS fee staff employees were inside the booth at the time of the collision but were unharmed. The truck began leaking fuel, but responding units controlled and absorbed the spill. The two occupants of the truck were rapidly extricated and taken to Flagstaff Medical Center. Alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor. An investigation is underway. [Rosie Peragine, IC, GRCA, 8/14]
On August 11th, dispatch received a call from park visitors who had seen a man jump off the South Rim of the Grand Canyon near Mather Point. They also reported that the man was still alive and lying below the rim. Rangers responded to the scene within minutes and found a 31-year-old man from Odessa, Texas, lying in a group of trees approximately 150 feet below the rim. Ranger Matt Vandzura quickly rappelled to the patient and determined that he was suffering from a hemo-pneumothorax, partial avulsed foot, flail chest, and numerous other fractures. Vandzura was able to relieve the pressure of the pneumothorax through a needle thoracotomy. Ranger Nancy Mecham assisted in stabilizing the patient. Vandzura and the patient were lifted from the scene via helicopter short haul. The patient was then flown to the Flagstaff Medical Center, where he has undergone surgery on his foot and is in stable condition. [Kent Delbon, IC/Shift Supervisor, South Rim, GRCA, 8/13]
Park dispatch received a call via satellite telephone on August 4th reporting a boat stuck at Hance Rapids. The caller said that a 37-foot Western Rivers J-rig had wrapped up on a rock in the rapids. There were no reported injuries among the 22 people on board. Crew attempts to free the boat had been underway for four hours. The park helicopter flew to the site on a reconnaissance mission to determine what actions would be necessary to rescue the passengers and free the raft. It was determined that a short haul operation would be necessary to extract all those on the raft. All 22 people were taken to shore and camped the night with passengers from another Western Rivers boat. Rescue personnel were flown back to the South Rim. On the following morning, they returned to attempt to free the raft. A rescue/support boat from Hatch River Expeditions, launched at Lees Ferry, assisted with salvage operations. The raft was finally freed and its passengers resumed their trip down the Colorado. [Bil Vandergraff, IC, GRCA, 8/7]
On the morning of August 17th, North Rim rangers were dispatched to the concession housing area to investigate a report of an unresponsive man found in a restroom. Park medics and paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revived the 44-year-old man. The cause of death is unknown. Autopsy results are pending and an investigation is underway. Drug use is suspected. [Jeff Martinelli, PR, GRCA, 8/24]
Lightning struck the pedestrian area along the rim between the El Tovar Hotel and Hopi House during a thunderstorm on August 22nd. A tour bus had just dropped off 17 passengers; they were walking to the rim to look at the canyon when lightning struck a tree within 15 feet of the group. Witnesses reported seeing a "lightning splash" travel between the tree and a flagpole about 75 yards away. Rangers employed triage protocols used in mass casualty incidents. Seven visitors were taken by three ambulances to the park clinic. Injuries ranged from temporary loss of hearing to unconsciousness to abrasions. All were subsequently released. Guardian Ambulance and Amfac fire and security personnel assisted with patient management. The lightning strike occurred prior to the lunch hour, a time when many visitors are typically walking along the rim. [Bil Vandergraff, IC, GRCA, 8/23]
Ranger Mike O'Neil came upon a vehicle on August 24th that had been described in an ATL (attempt to locate) bulletin that the park had received. Tracks led from the vehicle to the rim; the 40-year-old male driver was found 100 feet below the rim, injured but alive. O'Neil and ranger Matt Vandzura stabilized his injuries. He was then short-hauled to the rim and flown by helicopter to Flagstaff Medical center, where he's in critical but stable condition with head and facial injuries. The ATL had been issued after the man's family found a suicide note. [Nancy E. Mecham, IC, GRCA, 8/24]
A single-engine Cessna 207 operated by Westwind Aviation made a crash landing in the Kaibab National Forest southeast of the park on the afternoon of September 23rd. Park wildland fire personnel, a Guardian Medical Transport ambulance, the park's ambulance, and the park helicopter responded. The four occupants of the Cessna suffered relatively minor injuries and were taken by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center. The incident coincided with a single-vehicle rollover accident in the park; the two victims were also taken to the center. Ken Phillips was IC. [Mat Vandzura, GRCA, 9/25]
On the morning of October 3rd, ex-concession employee S.B. came to the North Rim to confront his girlfriend regarding their failed relationship. When she refused to open the door of her small cabin near the lodge or talk with him, S.B. began pouring gasoline from a container he was carrying onto the outside of the cabin door. He then managed to open an exterior window, jumped into the cabin, and began splashing gasoline around the interior and onto the woman. He poured gasoline over his head and told the woman he was going to kill himself and that he wanted her to see it. The woman managed to flee and called 911. Responding rangers found S.B. barricaded inside the cabin, threatening to burn himself up. Ten additional rangers were flown from the South Rim to provide assistance and structural fire support. A Lifeflight helicopter from Page flew to the North Rim in case additional medical assistance was needed. After three-and-a-half hours of negotiations, led by ranger Lindy Allee, S.B. walked peacefully out of the cabin. He was placed in protective custody and taken to Flagstaff Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation. Multiple felony charges are pending. Ron Martin was IC. [CRO, GRCA, 10/6]
During the early morning hours of October 18th, four visitors saw an unidentified man swan dive from a point near First Trailview overlook on the South Rim. Rangers responded within minutes and spotted his body about 300 feet below the rim. A recovery team hiked to the area and confirmed the fatality. The body was extricated by helicopter. Brian Lakes was IC. [Brian Lakes, IC, GRCA, 10/19]
On October 14th, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office asked park staff to assist with a helicopter accident outside the park on the North Rim. A Classic Lifeguard helicopter had crashed on take off during a medevac three miles west of Jacob Lake. Ranger Jeff Martinelli responded by vehicle; the park helicopter flew from the South Rim, picked up ranger/park medic Ron Martin, and continued to the scene. By the time they arrived, the crew of the downed helicopter had extricated themselves and their patient, a 37-year-old woman who had suffered trauma injuries in a horse-riding accident. It's not known whether she received additional injuries in the crash. She was transferred to the park helicopter and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. The helicopter's crew was taken to Page. The cause of the accident is under investigation. [Bill Vandergraff, GRCA, 10/17]
On April 11, 1993, D.S. reportedly fell to her death when she walked backwards over the canyon rim at Horseshoe Mesa while her husband was setting up a tripod to take a picture. The incident was ruled an accident, but a recent review has led to arraignment of R.S. on homicide charges. The arrest of R.S. on a federal charge of first degree murder and three similar counts in Colorado came about as the result of a long-term cooperative effort by criminal investigators from the park, the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department, and the FBI, with additional support provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Phoenix. In 1994-95, Arapahoe County detective Paul Goodman began a review of several old cases in his department's files, including the 1978 shooting death of R.S.'s first wife, Nancy, and her two children - originally closed as a murder-suicide. Coincidentally, park special agent Beverly Perry was at the same time reviewing the 1993 death of D.S. When Goodman learned of this incident, he contacted Perry. After comparing notes and sharing their concerns and suspicions, the two investigators joined efforts to actively pursue an investigation of R.S. FBI special agent Leonard Johns joined the pair as the third member of the team. Their concerted and cooperative efforts resulted in R.S.'s October 3rd arrest. Also providing assistance were law enforcement personnel from the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, Coconino County Sheriff's Office, and Grand Junction Police Department. [Sandi Perl, GRCA, 10/24]
A son born to park employees L.R. and D.R. on August 14th passed away from congenital heart problems on October 30th. Services have been held in Louisiana. Cards may be sent to L.R. and D.R. A charitable donations account has been established to assist the family with medical and funeral expenses. Donations may be sent to D.R., Charitable Account, c/o Bank One, PO Box 459, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. [Kimberly Smeltzer, Dispatch, GRCA, 11/10]
On December 27th, R.S., 68, of Grand Junction, Colorado, pled guilty in federal district court in Phoenix to the first degree murder of Donna R.S. at the Grand Canyon. On April 11, 1993, Donna R.S. reportedly fell to her death when she walked backwards over the canyon rim at Horseshoe Mesa while her husband was setting up a tripod to take a picture. The incident was ruled an accident, but a review of the case last year led to R.S.'s arrest and arraignment. R.S. admitted in his plea that he wasn't happy in his marriage and that he planned her death in advance, making up his mind at some point on the morning of April 11th while hiking in the park. When they reached a steep section of the Page Springs trail off Horseshoe Mesa, he pushed her off the trail to her death. R.S. said that he knew there was no place above that point on the trail where he could be certain that a push off the trail would kill her. As part of his plea, R.S. also admitted to the 1978 Colorado killing of his prior wife, N., and their two children. He said that he had lured his wife into the basement of the house around Christmas, saying he had a "surprise" for her. R.S. had her sit in a chair and close her eyes, then shot her. He then went upstairs and shot both his children while they were sleeping in bed. The boy did not die right away, so he suffocated him with a pillow. R.S. was able to mask the incident as a double murder-suicide by typing a note in the days before the murders and tricking his wife into signing it as though it was a Christmas card to be mailed out. This serial murder investigation was spearheaded by NPS special agent Beverly Perry of the park's Branch of Law Enforcement Services, in close cooperation with other NPS agents and investigators from the FBI, the Arapaho County Sheriffs Department, and the United States Attorney's Office in Phoenix. [Branch of Law Enforcement, GRCA, 1/5]
Citizen complaints and investigative leads led to the arrest of concession employee M.M. on January 6th. An automated criminal history revealed that M.M. had several previous felony convictions, and the subsequent investigation led to the discovery that he had an SKS rifle in his possession. M.M. was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm. His employment with AMFAC was terminated, and he now resides in the county jail. [Brian Lakes, South Rim District, GRCA, 1/8]
On the evening of February 20th, South Rim District rangers received a report that a person might have fallen from the Rim Trail just at sunset. Several park visitors reported seeing a distinctively dressed woman standing at the edge of the canyon near Grandeur Point; when they returned approximately ten minutes later, all they found at the spot was a shoe and a pair of glasses. Although darkness had fallen and high winds were blowing, a hasty search was begun and a climbing team rappelled over the edge to check the ledges below. They were not able to determine a final point of rest, but found a number of impact points. The woman's body was located from the air the next morning at a spot about 400 feet below the point where she'd last been seen. Rangers were short-hauled to the site to confirm the fatality and coordinate the removal. Investigators have now confirmed the victim's identity as S.E., 18, from Ontario, California. Because this was an unwitnessed event, an investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of her fall. Ranger Leslie Carter was the incident commander and SA Joe Sumner is coordinating the investigation. [Patrick Hattaway, DR, South Rim District, GRCA, 3/1]
On the morning of March 5th, park dispatch received a call reporting a possible fatality in Coconino Apartments, an AMFAC housing unit. Responding rangers found the body of B.S., 62, in her apartment. She had evidently been dead for more than a day. Her body was found by friends who became concerned after not seeing or talking with her for several days. B.S. was a secretary for the Fred Harvey Company's transportation department. The investigation into the cause of death is continuing. [Patrick Hattaway, DR, South Rim District, GRCA, 3/6]
On the evening of February 20th, South Rim District rangers investigated a reported fall from the edge of the canyon near Grandeur Point and subsequently found the body of an 18-year-old California woman 400 feet below the point last seen. Because this was an unwitnessed event, an investigation was begun to determine the cause of her fall. The fatality has attracted additional media attention because an employee in the medical examiner's office improperly disseminated information regarding the case to a local paper, which in turn passed it on to national wire services. The information indicates that there may have been some criminal activity associated with the fall. It's not yet known how damaging the press coverage will be to the continuing investigation, which is being coordinated by SA Joe Sumner. [Patrick Hattaway, DR, South Rim District, GRCA, 3/6]
The Coconino County Sheriff's Office asked for assistance in dealing with a potential armed confrontation in the town of Tusayan on the park's south border on the evening of April 2nd. Three rangers from the South Rim District joined two deputies at the location. The deputies had answered a complaint about two men illegally occupying a shared residence in the Tusayan trailer park. When they arrived, the deputies found a large number of .44 magnum shell casings around the front door and received no response from the occupants. Although the person reporting the problem had not seen a weapon, the deputies considered it likely that they were dealing with armed and barricaded people and solicited help from the park and from the state's Department of Public Safety. Three more deputies and two DPS officers joined the rangers and deputies already on scene. Two more building entries were attempted, but were unsuccessful because the doublewide trailer had been modified to accommodate a number of temporary/ transient workers and had multiple walls and doors. Repeated efforts were made to communicate with the men in the trailer through a cruiser PA system. When they failed to respond, a third building entry forced the occupants to move, confirming their location. While one ranger continued to talk over the PA system as a distraction, a three-person entry team from the sheriff's department finally located the men and forced open the door to the room they were occupying. B.G., 21, and a male juvenile were arrested without further incident. No weapons were found, but both men were under the influence of unidentified controlled substances. [Patrick Hattaway, DR, South Rim District, GRCA, 4/5]
Security staff from AMFAC, the park's concessioner, reported the activation of a smoke alarm in the Thunderbird Lodge around 8:30 p.m. on April 10th. The first personnel to arrive found smoke in one guestroom and evacuated the two-story complex. Several emergency units, including two engines and an ambulance, responded with more than fifteen personnel. Although the smoke quickly dissipated, it took almost an hour to ensure there were no other points of ignition or fire in the 1960's structure. During that time, numerous visitors tried to re-enter their rooms because they could not see any smoke or fire. Investigators found two sources of ignition within the room - the occupants had placed a dyed leather suitcase directly against one heater and a second electric heater had been damaged, causing the elements to contact the room carpeting. Because of snowy conditions and cold weather, the room's occupants had left both heaters on high while out for dinner. [Patrick Hattaway, DR/IC, South Rim District, GRCA, 4/17]
Park dispatch received an emergency call via satellite phone from a commercial river trip on the Colorado River at Saddle Canyon on the afternoon of May 14th. The trip leader reported that a passenger had become irrational and extremely violent and was threatening to kill himself. At one point, he'd removed his clothing and gone into the river. Crew members and passengers were able to partially control him until rangers Kent Delbon, Dave Desrosiers, Mike McGinnis and Ken Phillips could arrive in a park helicopter. The man was restrained, placed on a backboard and treated, then transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for medical and psychiatric evaluations. [Bill Vandergraff, IC, GRCA, 5/14]
Park personnel were contacted around sunset on Sunday, May 27th, regarding an overdue group of day hikers on the Grandview Trail. Eleven members of a group holding a family reunion had headed down the trail. The hikers, who ranged in age from 17 to 34, planned to hike to Horseshoe Mesa and possibly go on to the Colorado River. That night, park personnel established containment points around the area, conducted hasty searches, and interviewed other backpackers. The inner canyon high temperature for the day reached 100 degrees at Phantom Ranch. During the day, seven other SAR operations were coordinated by SAR shift ranger Kristin Fey, including three medevacs. The search for the hikers resumed on Monday and was conducted by helicopter. The hikers were later located by searchers in the Hance Creek drainage. They had walked to Hance Rapids, normally a two-day journey, then had bivouacked there for the night. All were okay. Incidents like this one have previously resulted in hiker fatalities. It's probable that they survived because of several factors - drinking creek water, wearing hats for sun protection, eating cactus, and staying together. [Ken Phillips, IC, GRCA, 5/28]
Mule wrangler Doug Isaia, 63, was found unresponsive in his bunk at the wrangler bunkhouse at Phantom Ranch at 4:45 a.m. on June 7th. Rangers Bryan Wisher and KJ Glover responded and determined that he was dead. Isaia had apparently passed away in his sleep. Investigation revealed no indications of foul play. His body was flown out of the canyon and taken to the county medical examiner's office for a determination of cause of death. [Mark Law, DR, Canyon District, GRCA, 6/8]
On the afternoon of Friday, June 1st, a 911 call came in to park dispatch reporting that a woman had collapsed on the South Kaibab trail just above Phantom Ranch. The woman had been left there for about an hour while members of her family quickly hiked to Phantom to get help. Ranger Ivan Kassovic organized a rescue and mobilized a litter team from the Phantom area while ranger Peggy Kolar responded and began treating the unresponsive woman. Within an hour, she had been taken to the Colorado River and cooled, bringing her dangerously high core temperature down by several degrees. She was then flown out of the canyon via park helicopter and transferred to an air ambulance for transport to Flagstaff Medical Center. She was released the next morning with no apparent after-effects. [Rosie Peragine, IC, GRCA, 6/5]
Thirteen-year-old A.D. of Canyon Lake, Texas, a member of a group on a commercial river trip on the Colorado River, was hiking in North Canyon on June 12th when he slipped while scrambling up some rocks and fell about 40 feet. River guides were on-scene immediately and began first aid. A.D. was breathing and had a pulse at the outset, but both stopped within three minutes. CPR was accordingly begun. The park was contacted by satellite phone, and ranger/paramedics Ken Phillips and Bill Reynolds flew to the location in the park helicopter. Advanced cardiac life support measures were employed, but without success. While this operation was underway, a second helicopter responded to a medevac at Phantom Ranch and another fatality was discovered on the South Rim. Those reports are pending. [Michael McGinnis, IC, GRCA, 6/12]
South Rim rangers responding to a report of a non-responsive person in AMFAC concession housing on June 12th discovered the body of Kim Quanimptewa, 30, of Hotevilla on the Hopi Reservation. The location and position of the body made it evident that the death was a possible homicide, and a joint investigation was begun with Coconino County SO. An autopsy completed by the state confirmed that Quanimptewa died from multiple stab wounds. Quanimptewa was an AMFAC employee and has relatives working for both AMFAC at Grand Canyon and for SPMA at Hubbell Trading Post NHS. Park special agents and county detectives are pursuing several investigative leads. [Patrick Hattaway, DR, South Rim District, GRCA, 6/19]
Park staff and volunteers responded to four rescues on June 18th: o A 25-year-old woman suffering from severe hyponatremia and an altered level of consciousness was evacuated by park helicopter from the Pipe Creek rest house at 7 a.m. Rangers Peggy Kolar and Ivan Kassovic and volunteer physician Steve Stephanides had treated her at the scene through the night. She was taken to the South Rim helibase by paramedic Sherrie Collins, then transferred to Guardian Air and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. o A 25-year-old woman was found stranded below the Hermit Trail in the Supai Formation later in the morning. She'd become lost the previous day and spent the night on a rock promontory. Rangers Jennifer Flynn, Ken Phillips and Greg Moore flew to the scene and found her suffering from dehydration and an impaled agave spine in her leg. She was reached by an 80-foot rappel and was later evacuated by a park helicopter. o A 33-year old river guide was bitten by a rattlesnake bite and suffered severe swelling. She was evacuated from a commercial river trip by the park helicopter at the confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers. Paramedic Sherrie Collins and IEMT Mike McGinnis treated her at the scene. She was then flown directly to Flagstaff Medical Center. o Immediately after the above incidents concluded, park personnel received a report that a shuttle bus driver had spotted a mirror flash below the Abyss on West Rim Drive. Rangers Mike McGinnis and Ken Phillips flew to the Monument Creek area and treated a 49-year-old man on a commercially-guided hike who was suffering from heat exhaustion and evacuated him tot he South Rim. Distress mirror flashes from the canyon have become rare due to the increasing use of satellite telephones. Most hikers are aware that commercial river trip guides are carrying these phones and will seek assistance from them in requesting an NPS rescue. These incidents were coordinated by SAR shift ranger Kristin Fey. There were four more medevacs the next day, including two which required advanced life support. Jennifer Flynn coordinated these incidents as SAR shift ranger. [Ken Phillips, GRCA, 6/21]
On the morning of Sunday, June 24th, SAR shift ranger KJ Glover received a report of two hikers trapped on a ridge in the Hance Creek drainage. The hikers were on a commercially-led backpacking trip and were returning with their guide from a hike to the Colorado River the previous day via a seldom-used route. While descending a talus slope 150 feet above the creek, one of the hikers, a 14-year-old male, dislodged a 200-pound boulder which struck him and caused possible fractures to an arm and leg. The guide treated him, then hiked back to their campsite and returned with water and bivouac equipment so the trio could spend the night at that location. The guide hiked out to the South Rim early the next morning and reported the accident. A park helicopter with pilot Greg Haufle and helicopter manager Carl Helquist aboard flew to the scene. Rangers Bil Vandergraff and Ken Phillips were then short-hauled by helicopter from the Tonto Plateau down a thousand feet to a narrow pass near the victim's location. The hikers were evacuated by helicopter to the South Rim. The juvenile was taken by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center. (KJ Glover, GRCA, 6/25]
On the afternoon of Saturday, June 16th, park dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a man with a known cardiac history was unconscious at the Desert View General Store, 25 miles east of South Rim Village. Within minutes, EMTs responded from the Tusayan museum, maintenance facility and entrance station, and the park helicopter took off with ranger/paramedic Nancy Mecham on board. She found the man suffering from focal seizures and treated and stabilized him. He was flown by park helicopter to Flagstaff Medical Center. [Kristin Fey, SAR Shift, GRCA, 6/21]
A 13-year-old boy from Tusayan was reported missing on June 29th. He had been in the company of several area adults; all of them reportedly had been smoking crystal methedrine for a period of two days. The boy's disappearance was not reported to the Coconino County Sheriff's Department for another two days. Park staff were asked to help with active searching outside the park on July 9th. Plans were then made to escalate the scale of the search on July 14th with a statewide callout for resources. On that day, 140 people from six Arizona counties, including search dog teams, and mounted units, were deployed in a search area that encompassed 64 square miles. Thirty park personnel and AMFAC employees and the park helicopter participated in the search. The incident was managed jointly by the NPS and sheriff's department; about 20% of the search area was within the park. On July 15th, search efforts were scaled back to a limited but continuous operation. Since the missing person was a local resident and a student at Grand Canyon High School, the search has generated a great deal of local interest. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 7/16]
On Sunday, July 15th, a concession employee called dispatch and reported that his roommate had gone hiking three days before and had failed to return. The hiker had obtained a permit for the Bright Angel campground on the night of July 13th, but never made it to the campground. During the ensuing investigation, another friend of the hiker was contacted and recalled him saying that he was planning on hiking down the Grandview trail and across the Tonto trail, then pressing on to Phantom Ranch - all in the same day. The total distance for this route is about 27 miles. Temperatures were above 100 degrees during the period, and there is little or no water along the trail at this time of the year. Since the hiker had been overdue for over 24 hours, the park began a search by helicopter. He was spotted on the trail late on Sunday afternoon, having traveled only 15 of the 27 miles. He had only a sleeping bag and flashlight with him and had not had any food or water for the previous 48 hours. Similar incidents have resulted in fatalities. [Hunter Bailey, IC, GRCA, 7/26]
On the evening of July 16th, park dispatch received a 911 call via satellite telephone from a commercial river trip on the Colorado River. The trip leader reported that one of the two motor rafts on the trip had gotten hung up on a rock in the upper granite gorge near river mile 105. The stranded raft had 11 people on board. There were no beaches in the area, and the second boat was secured downstream. Just before sunset, rescuers David Rhinehart, Bryan Edwards, Mike Flynn and Carl Helquist were inserted via helicopter about a quarter mile upstream from the stranded raft. Edwards and Flynn swam down to the rafts to stabilize them and spent the night on board. At first light, the water flow in the Colorado River increased, and the raft gained buoyancy. The rescuers were able to maneuver the raft off the rock; they were flown out later that morning. [Kristin Fey, IC, GRCA, 7/16]
On the evening of Wednesday, August 1st, park dispatch received a report of an elderly woman missing from an international tour group. The woman, who had last been seen at Mohave Point, failed to return to the tour bus at the designated time. Responding rangers began an investigation, set up confinement points, and launched a hasty search, beginning at the point last seen and extending to major roads and trails in the area. No sign of her was found. The search resumed on Thursday and expanded to include all high probability areas, but still without results. A search of the area below Mohave Point was conducted by helicopter in mid-morning. A body was spotted about 350 feet below the point. A recovery and investigation team flew by helicopter to a nearby point and recovered the body. An investigation is underway to determine the victim's identity and the cause of the fall. [Hunter Bailey, IC, GRCA, 8/3]
Although the report from the park is not yet in, the Associated Press has transmitted a story on a helicopter crash at the edge of the park yesterday that killed six people and critically injured a seventh. The text of the story follows: "A helicopter crashed Friday near the Grand Canyon, killing six people, authorities said. A seventh person was critically injured. The Federal Aviation Administration said the cause of the crash was not known. The National Transportation Safety Board was expected to investigate. A woman was in critical condition with severe burns at University Medical Center in Las Vegas, said hospital spokesman Rick Plummer. The AS350 helicopter departed from Las Vegas and went down at about 2:35 p.m. in a remote area near Meadview, about 70 miles east of Las Vegas, near the western edge of the Grand Canyon, authorities said. The crash site was difficult to reach, National Park Service spokesman Bert Byers said. 'Only the hardiest of 4-wheel-drive vehicles would be able to get in there.' The flight that crashed was operated by Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters of Las Vegas, Byers said. A Papillon representative said company officials were unavailable." [Salt Lake Tribune web page, 8/11/01]
Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, NPS Director Fran Mainella, and members and staff of the Arizona Congressional delegation visited the park on August 8th. The two-day visit to Arizona was initiated by Senator John Kyl's office, with the Grand Canyon portion focusing on the general management plan and transit efforts. During the five-hour visit, the group toured the South Rim Village area, including the new Canyon View Information Plaza, and dedicated the first mile of the planned 73-mile Greenway multi-use trail. Director Mainella stayed the night and explored several of the park's issues with the superintendent's management team. The visit was managed under ICS to ensure appropriate logistical support for the 25 members of the party. [Patrick Hattaway, IC/Mallory Smith, IO, GRCA, 8/10]
The fatal helicopter crash that occurred on Friday near Meadview was on BLM land on the south side of the canyon between the upper end of Lake Mead NRA and the lower end of Grand Canyon NP. The victims were on a tour that leaves Las Vegas and flies over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and the Grand Wash Cliffs before landing on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, where the tour company provides a picnic lunch. An article on the accident containing a map showing the location appears in the Sunday Las Vegas Review-Journal, which can be found at: http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Aug-12-Sun-2001/news/16756439.html. No reports have yet been received from the parks regarding any NPS involvement. [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 8/12]
On August 10th, the park helicopter responded to the previously reported crash of the Papillon tour helicopter, which occurred on BLM land near Meadview less than a mile outside of the park's boundary. Upon arrival, the park team - pilot Eddie Thoroughgood, helicopter manager Carl Helquist, paramedic Bill Reynolds and ranger/IEMT Jennifer Flynn - found that the one surviving occupant had been evacuated by a private air ambulance. Flynn directed operations on scene until Mohave County officials arrived. Ranger Chris Mengel assisted at the multi-agency ICP in Meadview. Ranger Hunter Bailey was IC for the Grand Canyon response. [Jennifer Flynn, PR, GRCA, 8/14]
The Bright Angel trail was closed on the morning of August 13th from the trailhead to Indian Garden - a distance of about four-and-a-half miles - due to damage caused by heavy early morning rains. The pipeline that carries water from the South Rim to several rest rooms was also broken. The trail will remain closed for about three weeks while trail crews remove large boulders and debris and rebuild trail and retaining walls that were damaged in the storm. The South Kaibab and North Kaibab trails remain open. The National Weather Service reported that the park received the better part of three inches of rain on the night of August 12th and the morning of the 13th. [Maureen Oltrogge, PIO, GRCA, 8/14]
On the evening of August 18th, SAR shift ranger Hunter Bailey was notified that two hikers were ten days overdue from a hike in the Grand Canyon. Long-time Grand Canyon hiker G.L.M., 46, and his hiking companion, L.B., 51, were due back home in Flagstaff on August 8th. L.B.'s adult son notified the park of the situation. In addition to extensive investigative efforts, a search was launched on the morning of August 19th. NPS and Coconino County Sheriff's Department search personnel aboard the park's helicopter located G.L.M.'s vehicle at the Salt Trail Canyon trailhead; a campsite with the missing pair's equipment was subsequently located at the Salt Trail Canyon confluence with the Little Colorado River. Both locations are on the Navajo Indian Reservation, four miles from the park boundary. Search efforts have been hampered by ongoing monsoon storms in northern Arizona and by the remoteness of the search area. The Little Colorado River, which is the longest undammed river in Arizona, has been running at flood levels. USGS personnel have assisted in evaluating local stream flow data, which indicates that a flash flood on the afternoon of August 7th passed by couple's last known point on the Little Colorado River. Park personnel on a river patrol trip within ten miles of the search area experienced very heavy rain and later saw significant flash flood debris at the Little Colorado River confluence with the Colorado River. George G.L.M. is well know to park staff and search personnel as an avid Grand Canyon hiker and professional photographer, who over the past two decades has specialized in photographs of the inner canyon. Due to G.L.M.'s local notoriety, media interest has been high. Last year, park staff conducted a search for G.L.M. when he was several days overdue following an itinerary within the park. G.L.M. was located after he had hitched a ride downriver with a commercial river trip. The incident is being managed under unified command with the Coconino County Sheriff's Department. [Ken Phillips, NPS IC, GRCA, 8/22]
On the evening of August 18th, the park was notified that two hikers were ten days overdue from a hike in the Grand Canyon. Long-time Grand Canyon hiker G.L.M., 46, and his hiking companion, L.B., 51, were due back home in Flagstaff on August 8th. A search for them was begun the next day. On August 23rd, park and Coconino County Sheriff's Department SAR personnel found L.B.'s body at the lower end of Big Canyon, a tributary to the Little Colorado River, which is on the Navajo Indian Reservation. On the morning of August 26th, while interagency crews were searching the Little Colorado for G.L.M., river patrol rangers found his body about six miles from the point where L.B.'s remains were discovered. G.L.M.'s reputation as a Grand Canyon hiking aficionado and acclaimed outdoor photographer had drawn considerable attention to the search efforts. Based upon the search investigation, it's believed that G.L.M. and L.B. departed their campsite at the base of Salt Trail Canyon for a day hike to a waterfall known as Emerald Pool in Big Canyon. That same afternoon, a monsoon storm hit State Highway 89 30 miles east of their location with such intensity that vehicles on the roadway were suddenly stranded by flood waters. This storm probably caused a flash flood in Big Canyon that caught G.L.M. and L.B. without warning. The incident was managed under unified command. [Ken Phillips, GRCA, 8/29]
On August 25th, the county sheriff's department asked park personnel to assist in a rescue a half mile outside the park boundary in Havasu Canyon. L.P., 18, had sustained a severely angulated ankle fracture following a fall while hiking the previous evening between Mooney and Beaver Falls. The park helicopter flew to the scene; aboard were pilot Borden Miller, helispot manager Abbey Boland, spotter Ken Phillips and rescuer Kristin Fey. Fey was lowered via short haul and subsequently extracted with the girl. They were short-hauled two miles to a staging helispot, where L.P. was transferred to an Arizona DPS rescue helicopter which transported her to Flagstaff Medical Center. Immediately upon the completion of this rescue mission, ranger Hunter Bailey and paramedic Tom Clausing were flown by park helicopter from the South Rim to Horseshoe Mesa. Once at the scene, they located M.K., a 22 year-old woman from Slovenia who had suffered a 40-foot fall from the north end of the mesa the previous evening. M.K. had been attempting to locate a route to the Colorado River in near darkness. Clausing rappelled to M.K.'s exposed location on a cliff and found that she had sustained multiple traumatic injuries, including a possible jaw fracture, and that she was suffering from a significant loss of consciousness. It was determined that a short-haul extraction would be the best way to proceed. The same flight crew responded to this incident, with ranger/IEMT Mike McGinnis as rescuer. McGinnis rappelled down and prepared M.K. for evacuation. The two were extracted via helicopter short-haul rescue. M.K. was subsequently transported to the South Rim and treated at the Grand Canyon walk-in clinic. Jennifer Flynn was IC for both incidents. [Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, GRCA, 8/29]
On October 3rd, a wrangler called park dispatch to report that a 13-year-old girl had evidently fallen over the edge of the South Kaibab trail about a mile down from the rim. Park medical and rescue personnel responded on foot and by helicopter for a possible short-haul rescue. A spotter in the helicopter located the girl about 150 feet below the site of the fall. Rescuers reached her within a few minutes and determined that she had expired. Peer counselors were assigned to the family to help them deal with their loss and with logistical needs. An extremely complicated operation to document the incident scene was conducted, and the body was removed by helicopter and transferred to the county medical examiner. An investigation into the cause of the fall is underway. [Hunter Bailey, IC, GRCA, 10/11]
On October 19th, park staff were notified of a serious fall that had occurred in the inner canyon. A 50-year-old man, the leader of a private kayak trip on the river, had fallen 60 feet while hiking solo in a small, unnamed side canyon off the Colorado River near Last Chance Camp, about two miles upstream from Havasu Creek. Another kayaker searched for him when he failed to return to the beach and found him after three hours of looking. It's estimated that the victim was unconscious for at least five hours before the initial call for help was made via satellite phone. The man who found him was a retired veterinarian and was able to both start an IV and give an excellent patient report to responding rangers. The park helicopter flew to the location; on board were pilot Eddie Thoroughgood, paramedic Phil Mennenoh, IEMT ranger Kent Mecham, river ranger Brenton White and helicopter manager John Scoia. The patient was treated at the scene for head and spinal injuries, transported over rugged terrain, and flown to the Flagstaff Medical Center. White remained behind to investigate and to help the reporting party get both boats down river in order to rejoin the other members of the river trip. Doctors subsequently determined that the man had broken his skull into 18 pieces and fractured his C1, C2 and C3 vertebrae. He remains in the ICU three weeks later. [Jennifer Flynn, IC, GRCA, 11/7]
On November 15th, ranger Greg Moore attempted to stop a vehicle that was off road in a closed area. The driver refused to stop and fled from the park. Coconino County officers joined Moore and ranger Michael Gardiner in the pursuit. The registered owner was listed as wanted on federal and county felony warrants. The pursuit continued for over 15 miles and went from Highway 64 onto Forest Service roads, where the vehicle was finally stopped. The driver fled into the woods; the passenger was arrested on felony warrants. Arizona DPS units and a DPS helicopter assisted with the two-hour search for the driver, who is wanted for sexual assault on a minor. The investigation continues. [Steve Martin, Shift Lead, South Rim, GRCA, 11/19]
On Friday, November 23rd, park dispatch received a report that a woman had fallen off the rim at Tuweep Point. F.S., 72, of St. George, Utah, had been visiting the remote area on the North Rim with her husband and family. She asked her husband to take her photo near the edge; as she was walking to the photo point, she fell over the edge. Another companion drove six miles to the Tuweep Ranger Station and used the emergency satellite telephone to report the accident. Grand Canyon SAR personnel responded by helicopter and located the victim approximately 675 feet below the accident site. SAR personnel hiked to the location the next day. F.S.'s body was lifted to Tuweep Point by helicopter long line and transferred to the Mohave County medical examiner's office in Kingman by an Arizona DPS helicopter. An investigation will be conducted. [Bil Vandergraff, Operations Chief, GRCA, 11/26]
On April 26, 1998, employees at the El Tovar Hotel reported suspicious circumstances surrounding a guest who had failed to check out as scheduled. A.G., 42, of Ontario, Canada, had checked into his room on April 21st and had a reservation for six nights. When he didn't check out on time, maids entered his room and found what appeared to be all his personal property still inside. Investigation revealed that he had neither returned home nor contacted friends or family. Although A.G. was not described as suicidal or depressed, he had previously tried to commit suicide. An air and ground search of areas below the rim was begun, but no sign of him was found. Several friends subsequently received postcards, postmarked April 23rd, in which A.G. described meeting a man who offered to take him on private hikes. All efforts to find him proved fruitless, and the search was suspended after two weeks. On September 26th, SAR personnel found human remains 360 feet below the South Rim east of the Yavapai Museum while on an unrelated recovery of a suicide victim. The remains consisted of bones and clothing and were scattered over a 200-square-foot area. On October 9th, SAR staff hiked to the scene, investigated, and recovered the remains. They were taken to the Maricopa County medical examiner's office in Phoenix. Dental records confirmed that they were A.G.'s remains. The remains were located outside of the original search area. An investigation is pending. [Bil Vandergraff, IC, GRCA, 11/26]
A 23-year-old man came to the ranger operations building on November 29th and reported that he'd been sexually assaulted by an unknown person. He said that he'd been sleeping on a couch in an employee dorm when he awoke to find that a man had unzipped his pants and was touching his genital area. Investigative leads led to the questioning of R.M., 41, who subsequently confessed to the assault. A second victim was identified through information gleaned from the interview and has come forward. R.M. was charged with violations of 18 UWC 2244(a)(2). Ranger Phil Mennenoh was the investigating officer. [Phil Mennenoh, GRCA, 12/31]
On November 28th, a local commuter airline reported that a Japanese visitor had failed to show-up for his return flight to Las Vegas. Investigators determined that Masafumi Yatabe, 50, had failed to remove his luggage from a hotel room at the Maswik Lodge, that he'd rented a room at Circus Circus Hotel in Las Vegas and had also failed to check out and remove his luggage from that room, and that he'd visited the park and had not left by any known mode of public transportation. They also learned that he'd made a trip to the canyon earlier that month, and that he'd employed similar travel arrangements. The park has asked for assistance in the investigation from the FBI, the U.S. embassy, and the Japanese National Police. Any park with any information on Yatabe should contact ranger operations at Grand Canyon. Ranger Phil Mennenoh is the IC. [Phil Mennenoh, GRCA, 12/31]
On March 4th, rangers responded to a report of a person over the edge of the South Rim near Yavapai Point. J.S., 72, had lost her balance and tumbled over the edge of the canyon, sliding about ten feet before she was able to stop herself from falling further by catching hold of a small tree. Beyond the tree was a steep scree slope, followed by a sheer drop. Ranger Greg Moore rappelled down to J.S. and secured her until a haul system could be rigged to raise them both to safety. [Rosie Peragine, IC, GRCA, 3/4]
A twenty-nine year old New Zealand man was rescued on April 3rd after falling approximately 100 feet into the Grand Canyon. R.C. fell from a point on the rim about a quarter mile west of Hopi Point along Hermit Rest Road on the West Rim. The accident occurred at approximately 1:45 p.m. and was witnessed by the victim's brother, also from New Zealand, who flagged down a passing park shuttle bus. Ranger/IEMT's Greg Moore and Peggy Kolar and ranger/paramedic Ken Phillips rappelled to the victim, reaching him within 25 minutes of the initial call. R.C.'s fall had been arrested on the very edge of a talus shelf with a 600-foot drop below. Rescuers determined that R.C. had suffered an open ankle fracture with severe deformity, a deep scalp laceration, and numerous abrasions, and found that he was profoundly hypotensive. R.C.'s injuries were stabilized and he was packaged in a Bauman bag stretcher for a helicopter short-haul extraction to the canyon rim above. He was then transferred to Guardian Air Transport by an NPS ambulance for evacuation to Flagstaff Medical Center. Park pilot Eddie Thoroughgood, who flew the rescue mission, is a native of New Zealand, and the media in that country have expressed interest in the story of how one New Zealander rescued another in the United States. Bil Vandergraff was incident commander. Just as rescue personnel were mounting their initial response to the R.C. rescue, a call was received about another serious incident. The initial report indicated that a solo hiker had fallen in a remote section of the park and had been without food or water for four days. This report came from the members of a private river trip via a ground-to-air radio contact with aircraft over the canyon. The injured hiker, W.K., had fallen in a remote location below the North Rim. He eventually made his way to the Colorado River and hailed people on a passing river trip. Immediately upon completion of R.C.'s short haul extraction, the park helicopter was reconfigured and flew to Lava/Chuar Canyon with ranger Kristin Fey and ranger/paramedic KJ Glover aboard. W.K. was found to be suffering from a possible shoulder dislocation and dehydration. He was airlifted to the South Rim and transported by ground ambulance to Flagstaff. W.K. is known to park staff, who conducted a large, multi-day search for him in the past. Ivan Kassovic was the incident commander. [Bil Vandergraff, GRCA, 4/5]
On April 18th, the park SAR office received a request for assistance from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, which was conducting a search for a 79-year-old man in Corral Valley on BLM land in the Arizona Strip to the north of the park. The man had become separated from his group while taking photos the evening before. The sheriff's office asked for the park's helicopter and for additional searchers for the air search. Helicopter manager Mike Minton, helispot manager Sean Cox, operations chief Bil Vandergraff and searcher/paramedic KJ Glover flew to the area in NPS Helicopter 210. A state police helicopter also responded. Due to the remote location of the search area, the helicopters had short operational periods before they had to fly to Page to refuel. Minton coordinated air operations so that the helicopters alternated over the search area in order to maintain critical separation and increase safety. A search dog team from Page also joined the operation. The state police helicopter located tracks, but had to suspend operations in order to refuel. The park helicopter brought the dog team to the point where the tracks were seen; the dog alerted on the tracks, and the park helicopter followed them for several miles and found the lost man. A medical assessment was made and he was flown back to the incident command post. He declined further medical treatment and left the area with his group. He had been missing for about 20 hours, with overnight temperatures during the period running in the 30s. The dog team was vital to the success of the search. Severe high winds were blowing through the area at the time. If the man's tracks had not been found and followed when they were, the wind would have obliterated them. [Jennifer Flynn, IC, GRCA, 4/23]
On April 29th, the Gumball 3000, a self-described "fundraiser" to benefit the "twin towers" fund, arrived at Grand Canyon. The cross-country event, reputedly inspired by the "Cannonball Run" and described as "the most legendary car event ever," included destinations such as New York, Washington, Nashville, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. During the afternoon hours of the 29th, dozens of exotic cars began to enter the park. Many were stopped for unsafe operation, excessive speed, open containers of alcohol, and a variety of traffic violations. Several citations and warnings were issued. An event check point had been established at Mather Point, creating a traffic and visitor safety hazard. Rangers immediately closed it down and continued to monitor event participants' activities within the park. Leaders of the event had contacted park special uses coordinator Kirstin Heins on several occasions regarding a special event permit, but decided that their event didn't need one. They were told several times that a permit was definitely required for the event to occur in the park. The investigation continues; legal action is pending. [Mike Gardiner, South Rim Patrol, GRCA, 5/7]
J.D., who was wanted for armed bank robbery in Ohio, was arrested by rangers on July 30th. Rangers received information from the FBI that J.D. might be in the area and stopped him while driving a stolen Lexus RX300 SUV on East Rim Drive. J.D. was taken into custody without incident. At the time of his arrest, J.D. had about $120,000 in his possession. He's been charged with using a firearm while robbing National City Bank in Ashland, Ohio, on July 17th. J.D. is also a suspect in two other bank robberies in Ohio. He is currently being held pending extradition to Ohio. [Mark Law, DR, South Rim District, GRCA]
On the afternoon of August 12th, park dispatch received a satellite phone call from a commercial river trip on the Colorado reporting that a member of the group had been seriously injured in a fall in the area of Beaver Falls and Havasupai Creek. The 43-year-old woman had fallen about 25 feet after losing her footing and handhold while attempting to cross a ledge, sustaining head and back injuries. Trip guides provided initial medical treatment. Rangers and paramedics flew in by helicopter. Resuscitation efforts were discontinued with the concurrence of medical control. Ranger Marty McCaslin was IC for the incident. [Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center, GRCA]
Park dispatch received a cell phone call from visitor B.S. on August 29th. B.S. reported that he was "ledged-out" off of what he thought was the Hermit Trail, but also said that he was able to see building below him and horses or mules moving on the trail. Rangers assumed that B.S. was overlooking the Bright Angel Trail and employed a spotting scope to quickly locate him. B.S. was on an exposed ledge 300 feet below the rim in the Kaibab limestone formation and was waving toilet paper to attract attention. Following an unsuccessful effort to traverse the formation to B.S.'s perch, rescuers opted to employ the park helicopter to recon the area and find the safest route to reach him. Ranger Hunter Bailey was then lowered from the rim to B.S.'s location, and both were raised back to the rim. B.S. had traversed off-trail from the Bright Angel Trail. If he hadn't had a cell phone, no one would have been aware of his plight, as his shouts were not audible to anyone on the rim or in the canyon. Although B.S. said that he was planning some additional off-trail hiking in the canyon, he was provided with strong counseling and advised to rethink his strategy. Ranger KJ Glover was incident commander. [Submitted by Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, Grand Canyon NP]
On September 8, the FAA at Grand Canyon National Park Airport contacted park dispatch and reported that the pilot of an Eagle/Scenic Airlines aircraft had spotted a downed Beechcraft Bonanza A36 Turboprop outside of the park near Cataract Canyon, which drains into the Havasu area. The report from the airliner indicated that one occupant was slumped over in the front seat and that a second occupant had evidently walked away from the crash. At the time of the report, scattered heavy monsoon storm cells were moving through the Grand Canyon region and hampered county rescuers from reaching the scene on the ground due to impassable roads. The park helicopter was accordingly dispatched; aboard were pilot Greg Haufle, helicopter manager Sean Cox, ranger/IEMT Ira Blitzblau, and ranger/paramedic Ken Phillips. An air rescue helicopter from Arizona DPS - the only other emergency helicopter available in northern Arizona at the time - also responded. Park personnel landed first and directed other rescuers to the remote site. They determined that G.H. of Northbrook, Illinois, was the only occupant of the plane and that he had died in the accident. G.H. had been en route from Nevada to Kansas. Shortly before the accident, air traffic controllers in Los Angeles had received a transmission from G.H. in which he'd reported electrical problems. Marty McCaslin was IC for the NPS. [Submitted by Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, Grand Canyon NP]
On September 17, ranger Chuck Sypher fell approximately 50 feet while hiking in a remote area of the park while on backcountry patrol. Sypher was on the fourth day of a seven day backcountry patrol of the Kanab Creek drainage in a remote western part of the park. Ranger Michael Grate and a volunteer accompanied him. Grate was able to summon help via satellite phone. Initial reports indicated that Sypher had sustained serious head injuries. Two ranger/paramedics responded on the park helicopter. An Arizona DPS rescue helicopter and a Classic Lifeguard air ambulance were also dispatched. Rangers reached Sypher's location at the bottom of a narrow canyon and found him conscious, alert and in stable condition. He was extracted from the canyon via helicopter short-haul, then transferred to the Classic Lifeguard helicopter and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. Sypher miraculously sustained only lacerations, bruises and head wounds and was released from the hospital the following day. There were no fractures or internal injuries. Rangers were able to respond quickly due to mandatory requirements that satellite communications be employed on backcountry patrols and that rangers on all highly technical patrols be accompanied by partners. [Submitted by Sherrie Collins, Incident Commander, Grand Canyon NP]
Park dispatch received a report of a backpacker with a medical emergency on the Boucher Trail just before midnight on September 16. The report was received via satellite telephone from S.U., a guide for the Grand Canyon Field Institute. S.U. reported that one of her clients, a 45-year-old woman, was vomiting profusely and actively seizing and unconscious. S.U.'s group had started hiking that morning and had camped at White's Butte Saddle, about nine miles from the trailhead. Due to clear skies, calm air, a bright moon and the relative flatness of the terrain at their location, the park asked an Arizona DPS rescue unit to consider responding. DPS dispatched a Bell 407 with night vision capability. The pilot was able to locate the camp with assistance from members of the group, who employed flashlights and headlamps to delineate the helispot. The pilot had to abort his approach and postpone the mission, though, due to lack of contrast visibility in his night vision goggles. The helicopter flew back in at daybreak, picked up the woman, and took her to Flagstaff Medical Center, During the six intervening hours, S.U., a veterinarian, cared for the woman, keeping her airway open and maintaining her body temperature. The woman was diagnosed as suffering from hyponatremia and is expected to fully recover. Hyponatremia is caused when there is an abnormally low concentration of sodium in the blood. Too little sodium can cause cells to malfunction, and extremely low sodium can be fatal. [Submitted by Bil Vandergraff, Incident Commander, Grand Canyon NP]
On the evening of October 8, the park received a call from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, asking for help in rescuing an injured climber from Fremont Peak in the San Francisco Mountains near Flagstaff. While descending from a climb of the 11,969-foot peak, the 41-year-old man fell and sustained a leg injury thought to be a fracture. The accident site was about a thousand feet below the summit. Before night fell, an Arizona DPS helicopter had flown to the mountain, but the pilot found that it lacked sufficient power for a short-haul rescue at that altitude. The alternative plan was to have county SAR personnel climb to the site and stay with the victim until morning; at first light, the twin-engine park helicopter, more powerful than the DPS helicopter, would make s short-haul rescue from the steep, wooded terrain. During the night, though, rescuers belayed the patient a thousand feet to a meadow on the south side of the peak that would serve as a helispot. The park helicopter - piloted by Eddie Thoroughgood with helicopter manager Mark Murray and paramedic KJ Glover on board - landed on the mountain, picked up the man, and flew him to the Flagstaff Medical Center. [Submitted by Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator]
A 68-year-old man suffered a heart attack outside the El Tovar Hotel on the morning of October 8. Rangers were on scene immediately, including Norah Martinez, IEMT Dirk Murphy, EMT Colleen Dunleavy, EMT Bonnie Taylor, and paramedics KJ Glover and Ken Phillips. An AED was used to deliver one shock before the ambulance arrived. The man then went into non-shockable rhythm (pulseless electrical activity), so CPR and other advanced life support measures were begun. After four minutes, he developed a pulse and resumed breathing on his own. He was then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center for further treatment. [Submitted by Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator]
On October 17, dispatch received an ATL ("attempt to locate" message) from the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, advising that a man who was reportedly suicidal might be heading toward the park. Rangers located his vehicle the next morning, but there was nobody inside. They searched the area and found a body in a sleeping bag near Shoshone Point, just over a mile away. The body was confirmed to be that of the missing person, who had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. His body was transferred to the county medical examiner for autopsy. [Submitted by Mark Law, District Ranger, South Rim District]
On October 26, M.E., 61, sustained a possible ankle fracture while hiking on the remote Nankoweap Trail. The Grand Canyon Field Institute guide who was with her provided immediate care and used a satellite telephone to contact the park. Due to the extreme exposure of the trail and lack of a safe helispot nearby, rangers decided to employ a short-haul rescue procedure to extract her. NPS Helicopter 210 was used to short-haul her to a staging helispot two miles away. Involved in the operation were pilot Borden Miller, spotter Mark Murray, ranger-IEMT Greg Moore, ops chief Sean Cox, and incident commander KJ Glover. [Submitted by Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator]
On Saturday, November 9, rangers discovered an abandoned vehicle at Mather Point. A search of the area revealed a pile of clothing on a small rock pinnacle just beyond the safety rail at the overlook. A searcher on the rim located what appeared to be a body several hundred feet below the location of the clothing, subsequently confirmed by observers in a park helicopter. Rangers Greg Moore and Bonnie Taylor rappelled to the scene for investigation and recovery. The body was removed by a helicopter long-line operation that involved NPS employees from several park divisions and was conducted during a winter storm. The victim has been tentatively identified as a 35-year-old male from San Diego who had a history of mental problems. The investigation is continuing in conjunction with the Coconino County medical examiner's office. The incident commander is Ira Blitzblau; the primary investigator is Mike Gardiner. [Submitted by Bil Vandergraff]
Rangers were notified of an overdue hiker on the Bright Angel Trail on the evening of November 28. An investigator interviewed family members and gathered information while a hasty search of the trail was conducted. Additional hasty teams were deployed early the following morning; they were augmented by a park helicopter that searched the area below Plateau Point and north of Indian Gardens on the Tonto Plateau. A spotter on the helicopter located the body about 600 feet below the point. The victim's description matched that of the missing hiker. As rangers began organizing for a recovery operation, dispatch received several reports of a possible fall from the Bright Angel Trail. Rescuers headed down the trail and reached the victim within a few minutes. The person had fallen about 150 feet and suffered fatal injuries. An expanded ICS operation was put into place, with a division supervisor assigned to each incident. Peer counselors were assigned to the family and friends of each of the victims to help them deal with their respective losses and to assist with logistical needs. Rescuers conducted aerial reconnaissance of each site to determine the safest and most efficient way to access, document and extract the bodies. Separate teams were then deployed to document the accident scenes and remove the bodies. Investigations into the causes of the falls are underway. Ranger KJ Glover served as operations chief for the incident. [Submitted by Hunter Bailey, Incident Commander]
On the afternoon of December 5, park dispatch received several calls reporting a man down with CPR in progress on the Bright Angel Trail. The response was immediate, with rangers Ken Phillips, Hunter Bailey, Ivan Kassovic, and assistant helibase manager Mark Murray on scene three-quarters of a mile down the trail within 14 minutes of the initial call. Rescue personnel attempted resuscitation with advanced cardiac life support measures, but the 68 year old man did not survive. The man and his wife of 47 years had just spent two nights at Phantom Ranch and were hiking out of the canyon when he collapsed. This was the third fatality in six days. Following the recovery operation, incident personnel were hiking up the Bright Angel Trail when they heard loud noises and people yelling "rock." A rock fall of significant magnitude sent rescue personnel running for cover. They feared the worst for each other and for park visitors on the trail. Fortunately, nobody was injured. As the crew neared the rim, two hikers reported seeing a man throwing a large boulder from the trail down into the canyon. Rangers arrested C.H., 40, for disorderly conduct/creating a hazardous condition. [Submitted by KJ Glover, IC]
On the morning of December 29, X.X., 30, began a day hike down
the Hermit Trail, advising his wife that he'd return by 5 p.m. As X.X. was
returning to the rim that afternoon, a severe winter snowstorm blew in
and he became disoriented and lost the trail. X.X.'s wife camped overnight
in their vehicle at the trailhead awaiting him; when he failed to return
by the following morning, she reported him as overdue. An incident
investigator was immediately assigned and personnel were positioned at
the trailhead in case X.X. emerged. A hasty search was begun by searchers
in the park helicopter and on the ground, interviews were conducted with
backcountry hikers, and attraction techniques were employed. At 4 p.m.,
X.X.'s tracks in the snow were spotted from the helicopter and he was
found stranded several hundred feet below the rim near Pima Point. X.X.
was standing on a small ledge where he had bivouacked overnight. The low
temperature that night had been three degrees below zero. X.X. was wearing
only minimal clothing, which had become soaked, and did not have
adequate gear for the situation. Fearing that he would not survive
another night in sub-freezing temperatures, search managers decided to
extract X.X. immediately via helicopter short-haul. The operation was made
difficult by the limited remaining daylight, steep terrain with loose
rock, and snowy and icy conditions. Ranger Bil Vandergraff was lowered
to X.X.'s location via short-haul. X.X. was lifted out and taken to an
ambulance at Pima Point. He was evaluated and found to be in extremely
good condition considering the conditions he'd endured. X.X. was located
about three-quarters of a mile from the point where he'd deviated from
the trail. Hunter Bailey was IC; Marc Yeston was ops chief.
During a snowstorm on January 8, a twin-engine Piper PA-23 with four
people on board disappeared from radar near Flagstaff, Arizona.
Following three days of fruitless efforts by local searchers, the
Coconino County Sheriff's Office contacted the park and asked for
assistance. Alpine SAR and overhead personnel from the park were
dispatched to the area and assisted in search operations over the course
of several days. More than 290 people - including 130 Arizona National
Guard soldiers - were deployed in the ground search. The search area
stretched over 85 square miles, but searchers focused primarily on the
San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff. On Sunday, January 19, a hiker
spotted the plane's wreckage, which was at 9,000 feet on Schultz Peak -
outside of the primary search area. All those on board had perished in
the crash. The Piper had been en route from Las Vegas to Midland, Texas.
Passengers included M.P., a former rodeo cowboy turned minister
and head of the Cowboy Church of the American West in Midland, and
several members of his family. Media attention and interest from members
of the church was extremely high. Sixteen park staff assisted directly
in the operation. Ken Phillips served as agency representative.
On the morning of March 10th, dispatch received a report of a
backpacker who was two days overdue from a hike in a remote section of
the western part of the park. M.M. had gone on a seven-day solo
backpacking trip from Parashant Canyon to Snap Canyon, a distance of
about 125 miles. This section of the canyon is remote, hazardous and has
no trails; very few people visit the area on foot. Searchers from Lake
Mead NRA, Grand Canyon NP, Grand Canyon/Parashant NM and BLM searched
for M.M. by vehicle, boat, airplane and helicopter. M.M. was
reported to have a considerable amount of experience hiking in the
canyon and had advised family and friends that he'd try to reach the
river and await assistance if he encountered any problems during his
hike. He was spotted from the park's helicopter near Snap Canyon at 2:30
that afternoon. River ranger Chris Mengal picked him up and took him to
the Temple Bar ranger station. M.M. was in good condition, but had
eaten the last of his food that morning. He said that he'd realized that
he'd taken too long of a hike for the period of time he'd allotted.
Fourteen people were involved in the search.
On June 12, 2001, rangers responded to a report of an unresponsive
person in a concession housing unit located within the trailer village
on the South Rim. The first ranger on scene found the body of K.Q.,
30, of Hotevilla, Arizona, in a corner of the room under a
bunk bed. A cooperative investigation was begun by NPS rangers and
special agents, Coconino County deputies and detectives, and state crime
scene technicians. In short order, they secured the area, conducted more
than 100 interviews, obtained a search warrant for the crime scene, and
identified J.B., 21, from Tuba City, Arizona, as the prime
suspect. J.B. was found that same night, hiding under his sister's
bed in her dorm room. Evidence recovered from the crime scene (J.B.'s
dorm room) included the knife used in the murder and J.B.'s
blood-spattered pants. The coroner determined that K.Q. had been
stabbed 44 times. Because a justice of the peace had issued the search
warrant rather than a court of record, the case was deferred to the
county attorney's office. J.B. was indicted on a single charge of
first degree murder in the fall of 2001. The case was continued three
times last year and this year by defense request, but culminated on
April 2nd with J.B. pleading guilty to the charge. J.B. has still
not provided a motive for the killing. The investigation revealed that
he'd consumed a large amount of alcohol prior to the murder, and
detectives believe that he may not remember exactly why he killed
K.Q. J.B. will be sentenced on May 13th. Since there was no
evidence of premeditation, the minimum sentence will be from 25 years to
life, with the possibility of parole.
On March 30th, a 51-year-old woman from Arizona went on a day hike
down the Grandview Trail. At a point about three miles down, the took a
misstep and felt her ankle give way. Other hikers ascending the trail
reported her injury via cell phone. Coconino County SO dispatch received
the call and relayed the information to the park communications center.
A park team descended to her and found that she was resting comfortably.
She was treated by ranger Brian Bloom, who determined that she had a
possible closed fracture of the right ankle and stabilized it with a
splint. An effort was made to help her hike out to Horseshoe Mesa, but
it was stopped due to the difficulty of the terrain and concerns that
the injury might be aggravated. A litter carryout was ruled out due to
the steep slopes above and below the trail, the rocky and uneven
terrain, and the potential for injury to rescuers. The park helicopter
accordingly lifted her out by short-haul. Ranger Greg Moore was her
attendant, helitack/firefighter Mark Murray served as spotter, and Greg
Haufle flew the helicopter. The woman was taken to a landing spot on
Horseshoe Mesa, where helitack/firefighter Jay Lusher was managing the
helispot. She was then evacuated to the rim and transferred to an
ambulance. Ranger KJ Glover was IC.
On May 21st, park staff were involved in the rescue of a man who had
been bucked off a horse in Havasupi Canyon and was paralyzed. The
initial report was taken by the Arizona Department of Public Safety,
which dispatched a helicopter to the canyon. After assessing the
situation, DPS asked the park for help with extrication of the victim,
A.D. A.D. had to be lifted out of a narrow canyon with
several aerial hazards, such as old telephone lines. Since the park
helicopter couldn't land, ranger Greg Moore was lowered to A.D. via
short-haul. Moore prepared A.D. for extrication, after which he was
short-hauled 200 feet up to the shelf where the DPS helicopter was
waiting. A.D. was then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center for
treatment. Borden Miller was the pilot of the park helicopter; Mark
Murray served as the spotter.
Numerous incidents over the long weekend kept park staff extremely
busy. During the period, park personnel handled 30 EMS incidents,
including 19 search and rescue incidents, a dozen helicopter medevacs,
three arrests, and two searches. Inner Canyon rangers estimate that at
least 500 rim-to-rim hikers made the trek in temperatures exceeding 100
degrees. Significant events included the emergency response and
attempted resuscitation of a 65-year-old male hiker who went into
cardiac arrest on Bright Angel Trail, a response to CPR in progress a
mile above Indian Garden, and a helicopter short-haul rescue of an
injured hiker with a leg fracture from Grandview Trail.
On Wednesday, May 28th, park staff responded to a plane crash
immediately south of the park airport in the Kaibab National Forest. The
private, twin-engine Aero Commander crashed during takeoff from the
airport. All four people on board survived the crash and were treated
and transported to Flagstaff Medical Center by an ambulance and three
helicopters, one from the park. The incident was managed under unified
command by Coconino County SO and Grand Canyon NP; also responding were
the Forest Service, Tusayan FD, Guardian Medical Transport, and Arizona
DPS. Mike O'Neill served as the NPS IC.
On the morning of July 25th, park rescue personnel responded to a
report of a fall at O'Neil Butte on the South Kaibab Trail. G.K.,
40, had been hiking early that morning when he slipped near the edge of
the trail, likely due to the wet trail conditions. The slip resulted in
G.K. taking a 25-foot vertical fall to a shelf below. Although he was
out of sight, G.K.'s moans were heard by a passing hiker who notified
a ranger. The ranger, who was just minutes away from the site of the
accident, quickly arrived on scene. Meanwhile, other rescue personnel
flew to the area in the park helicopter and conducted an aerial recon of
the safest means for evacuation G.K. Ranger Heidi Sellers and
ranger/paramedic Marc Yeston evaluated and treated G.K.'s injuries,
which consisted of a large laceration to his head and severe back pain.
With multiple flights, enough equipment and personnel were inserted to
perform a litter carry to the trail above and then on to the O'Neil
Saddle helispot. G.K. was then transported to the South Rim in the
park helicopter, transferred to a private air ambulance, and flown to
Flagstaff Medical Center. Hunter Bailey was incident commander.
On August 2nd, park rescue personnel received a report of an overdue
tour helicopter from the airport tower. The "AirStar III," with a pilot
and six passengers on board, had failed to return from a scheduled
55-minute flight. A search was begun with the park helicopter, which was
joined in the effort by three tour company helicopters. The tower
reported an ELT transmission near the confluence of the Colorado and
Little Colorado Rivers. The crew of the park helicopter spotted AirStar
III on the ground near Cape Solitude. The pilot and passengers were all
okay. The helicopter had suffered from a complete electrical failure,
forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing. He then activated the
ELT because he had no other method for communicating his location. The
other air tour helicopters brought the passengers back to the airport.
On the afternoon of August 11th, park dispatch received a report of a
man with a head laceration near the backcountry office. Ranger Dave
Berry contacted a park employee at the scene who reported that the
injured man had actually suffered an apparently self-inflicted gunshot
wound to the head, was still breathing, and had the handgun beside him
on a picnic table near the parking lot. Berry called for assistance and
approached the man with his weapon drawn. He determined that the man was
unconscious, made the scene safe and began airway management. Additional
units, including three paramedic rangers, arrived and began advanced
life support efforts. The man was transported by helicopter to Flagstaff
Medical Center, where he was declared dead on August 13th. Significant
investigation was required to determine his identity as S.P. of
Phoenix. A vehicle abandoned near the scene the night before and a
tattoo on S.P.'s neck were the final clues to his identity. Rangers
who impounded the vehicle found an empty holster and a bag of bullets on
the front seat. S.P. had been contacted by maintenance employees
early in the morning of August 11th when he retrieved an unknown object
from a bathroom trash can and ran away.
On Thursday, September 11th, dispatch received an emergency call via
satellite phone from Wilderness River Adventures. A boatman reported
that he and his companions had pinned their 37-foot motor boat on a rock
at Unkar Rapid on the Colorado River. The boat's engine had failed as
they'd entered the rapid; it traveled to the left side of the river and
got lodged on rocks towards the base of the rapid. Seventeen passengers
were on board. For the next three hours, the boatman and crews from two
other Wilderness River Adventures' boats attempted to free the boat. At
5 p.m., they determined that their efforts were not going to be
successful and called the park. Rescue personnel flew to the site with
less than two hours of daylight left. Two rangers were inserted onto the
boat via helicopter short-haul, a technique for moving rescuers via a
rope attached to the helicopter. Rescuers evacuated six passengers by
short-haul before nightfall. Air operations were suspended at dusk due
to safety protocols. Rangers stayed on the boat with the remaining
passengers throughout the night. In the morning, the passengers were
short-hauled to safety. The rescuers and boat crew remained on the raft
to assist with efforts to free it. Attempts were made throughout Friday;
although they weren't able to free the boat, they succeeded in moving it
to a location ten feet downstream and also rotated it 180 degrees. On
Saturday, the boat crew finally got the raft free using engine power. It
continued down the river without further incident.
The park's helicopter, contracted from Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, crashed two miles north of the park boundary just before 5 p.m. on October 16th. There were no injuries. The McDonnell Douglas 900 Explorer had just completed a reconnaissance flight of the Poplar Fire Complex on the North Rim and was en route to a landing zone on the North District of the Kaibab NF when the controls failed while the pilot was on final. The helicopter rolled onto its left side and was severely damaged. On board were pilot M. Borden Miller (10,000 hours of flying time over 25 years), Kaibab NF district FMO Russ Truman, park helicopter manager Mark Murray, Poplar Fire IC Lynn Emerick, and acting North Rim unit manager Mark McCutcheon. All five were taken to Kane County Hospital in Kanab, Utah, for evaluation, then released. A multi-agency investigation is underway. [Submitted by Dawn O'Sickey, Public Affairs]
A fox that circled and attacked a Grand Canyon volunteer employee
last week - and was later shot to death by a ranger - tested
positive for rabies on Thursday. The encounters with the fox took place
near the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch. As a result, the volunteer
and ranger underwent rabies treatment as a precaution. The attack took
place last Friday when the volunteer was walking the East River Trail.
The fox circled the volunteer and acted aggressive. The volunteer
tripped and fell, and the fox jumped on top of him but did not bite
him.The volunteer reported the encounter and a ranger went to find the
fox. When she walked into the area, the fox tried to attack her as well.
She shot it twice and killed it. Health officials sent the fox's body to
the Arizona State Health Laboratory for testing and the lab confirmed it
had rabies. Additional testing will take place in Texas to determine the
exact strain of rabies. The park also went back two weeks prior to the
date of the encounter and compiled a list of campers to contact and
learn if they saw the fox or came in contact with it.
A series of bursting pipes and sprinkler system activations had
rangers on the South Rim scrambling on the afternoon of Sunday, December
28th. The first call came in from the park's unified school complex at
1:30 p.m. Rangers and the structural fire brigade responded; they found
neither smoke nor fire, but there was water in abundance. A pipe for the
sprinkler system had broken in the storage room in the new wing of the
high school and had flooded three classrooms and a hallway. The next
call came in from the park's community building at 4:30 p.m. Water was
found flowing from the building's attic from a rupture in pipes serving
the sprinkler system. The last call came at 5:20 p.m. when an alarm
sounded in the new park warehouse facility. Pipes serving the eyewash
station and other safety features had burst and the sprinklers had
activated. The buildings were being cleaned up at the time of the report
(last Monday). An investigation into the cause of the ruptures and
activations is underway.
On the evening of May 15th, visitors at the remote Tuweep overlook on
the North Rim saw a single-engine aircraft spin into the ground and
explode roughly two miles from the viewpoint. They reported the crash,
and the park's helicopter was dispatched to the scene with SAR, EMS and
fire personnel aboard. They found that none of the four people on board
the plane survived the crash, and determined that it had come down
outside the park. Park staff are providing logistical support for the
recovery operation, which is being undertaken by the Coconino County
Sheriff's Office. Investigators have determined that the plane was an
experimental model, and that it had disappeared from radar while flying
at an altitude of 16,500 feet. The NTSB is investigating.
A passenger on board a commercial air tour helicopter flying at about
4,000 feet opened the door while in mid-flight and jumped to his death
just before noon on Thursday, June 10th.
The man, who was in his mid-20s, landed near White's Butte, about two
miles northwest of Hermit's Rest. The pilot and five remaining
passengers on the Papillon Airways sightseeing tour returned to the
Tusayan Airport, shaken but unharmed. Rangers attempted to recover the
body that day, but high winds, steep terrain and the remote location
hindered their efforts. A recovery team was flown to the site the next
morning to investigate, document the incident, and recover his remains.
Although the death appears to be a suicide, a joint investigation
by the NPS, NTSP, FAA and sheriff's office is currently underway.
On Thursday, July 8th, Chicago resident M.L.B., 24, and a companion began a day run from the South Rim on the Grandview Trail with the objective of crossing the Tonto Plateau and returning to the rim via the South Kaibab Trail — a 27-mile circuit. The runners had five quarts of water between them, but ran out sometime during mid-afternoon. At that point, M.L.B. and her companion decided to separate. She then attempted to make it down to Phantom Ranch to reach water and assistance; he spent the night in the canyon, suffering from dehydration and exhaustion, then managed to reach the South Kaibab Trail, where he sought the assistance of a USGS employee who was hiking out of the canyon. She used her satellite phone to contact park personnel and get directions to a water cache at Tipoff. No information was provided about their itinerary, nor that M.L.B. was missing. He believed that she'd gone on to Phantom Ranch, so asked a trail crew employee to leave a message at the ranch telling her that he'd abandoned his hike, but would shuttle her car back to the South Kaibab Trailhead for her return trip to Flagstaff. M.L.B. was reported missing to Flagstaff PD when she failed to meet her family there on Friday. Flagstaff PD then notified the park, where search efforts were immediately begun. Search dog handlers Marsha and Denny Bratcher from Page, Arizona, were flown to Grand Canyon by Glen Canyon NRA pilot Jim Traub. Ranger Chuck Sypher and court officer Jennifer Sypher interviewed M.L.B.'s companion in Flagstaff and were able to immediately relay information on where to focus search efforts. The park's helicopter was launched, with pilot Mike Brinkworth, helicopter manager Mark Murray, paramedic Tom Clausing and helitacker Mark Peck on board. They located M.L.B.'s body in Cremation Creek between the Tonto Trail and the Colorado River, a thousand feet below the trail. M.L.B. had negotiated three pour-offs (dry waterfalls) while heading toward the river and apparently became stranded above a fourth pour-off which could not be negotiated. The Coconino Country medical examiner has determined her death to have been accidental, caused by dehydration due to environmental heat exposure. The temperature at Phantom Ranch on July 8th reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit. M.L.B. was in excellent physical condition, had been recently featured as an athlete of the month in a Chicago athlete magazine article, and had run the Boston Marathon with a time of 3:05. She had come to Northern Arizona for high altitude training. Running in the canyon is most popular in the fall months. Marc Yeston was incident commander.[Submitted by Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator]
On July 13th, ranger/EMT Ivan Kassovic, stationed at Phantom Ranch,
was called to assist with an unconscious 55 year-old female visitor. He
found the woman to be unresponsive, barely breathing and in a position
of unbendable flexion. Attempting to correct her breathing, he found her
jaw to be clenched and was able to attain only a marginal airway.
Shortly thereafter, the patient stopped breathing altogether and
vomited. The park's helicopter was unavailable, so an alternate
hospital-based ship was called. Kassovic was able to secure a marginal
airway and began artificial ventilations with a bag-valve-mask. The
inbound helicopter crew was unfamiliar with the landing zones in the
area, which forced the ranger, who was working alone, to simultaneously
direct the flight to a safe landing while treating the patient. Arriving
advanced life support personnel were able to gain a good airway
following chemical paralysis and intubation of the patient. The woman
had hiked to the bottom of the canyon from the North Rim for her
wedding, which was to be conducted at Phantom Ranch. During the
15-hour hike, she became severely hyponatremic (low on salt). She
was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center, where she remained comatose
and on a ventilator for most of the week. At the time of the report
(July 22nd), she had been discharged from the hospital with an excellent
prognosis. Alternate wedding planning is expected to resume in the
near future.
Dispatch received a 911 report of a fight in progress at a mobile
home in one of the park's trailer parks around midnight on Wednesday,
July 21st. The woman who called said that a father and his adult son had
ganged up on another adult son and threatened to kill him. Rangers,
including FTEP ranger John Leonard, his field training ranger and the
field training leader responded. The trailer's occupants, including five
children under the age of ten, all exited the trailer. Several of them
reported that one of the aggressors — a man about 25 years old
— was hiding inside. Rangers sought and received consent to search
the trailer because the female occupant wanted to leave with her
children but was afraid to go inside for her belongings. Leonard and the
FTL entered and cleared the trailer, an operation that was complicated
by blankets hanging from furniture, general filth and few functioning
light bulbs. The suspect was found in the back bedroom, hiding under
blankets behind a bunk bed. He was repeatedly told to come out into the
open, but it took some time to get him to do so. He charged Leonard when
he emerged and was extremely uncooperative during handcuffing. The man
has been arrested by rangers numerous times in the past and is currently
on probation for assault, a condition of which bans him from the park
for a year. Leonard testified at the suspect's preliminary
hearing.
Dispatch received a 911 call after midnight on July 19th reporting
that two men had entered a park residence without permission and told
the occupants that they were out of gas. One of the men warned the
occupants not to call law enforcement, and he threatened to shoot any
NPS rangers who responded with a Tech 9 automatic weapon. Rangers
responded and made a tactical approach to the apartment. They saw two
men sitting on the front steps. One complied with ranger's commands and
was handcuffed without incident; the other remained sitting, appeared to
be under the influence of some substance, and stared straight ahead as
if in a trance. Rangers saw that he had something in one of his hands,
hiding it under his leg. Numerous commands were given before he complied
and was handcuffed and arrested. At that point, he became unresponsive
and unable to walk. Rangers had to carry him to the patrol vehicle and
into the park's booking facility. During the booking process, he was
intermittently threatening toward the rangers and uncooperative and in
an apparent "trance," as though under the influence of a drug. He
eventually became completely unresponsive and was transported to
Flagstaff Medical Center by one of their paramedic ambulances. A ranger
provided security in the ambulance during transport. Subsequent
investigation indicated that the man was under the influence of the drug
known as GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate). The man had previously been
arrested on numerous occasions by park rangers and officers from other
agencies. At the time of the contact, he was on probation for drug
possession and for interfering with agency functions and was banned from
the park. He appeared before the magistrate and received a sentence of a
year and a day for the probation violation and six months for disorderly
conduct.
Between July 29th and August 2nd, South Rim rangers dealt with the following significant incidents, along with numerous medicals, disputes, minor MVA's, alarms and assist calls:
[Submitted by Karyl Yeston, South Rim Shift Supervisor]
Presidential candidate Senator John Kerry visited the park on Monday,
August 9th, accompanied by his wife, family members, campaign staff and
a press pool. The visit was managed with an in-park incident management
team. Senator Kerry and his party arrived on chartered helicopters which
landed in the park at the South Rim helibase, then traveled by motorcade
to the Powell Memorial on the West Rim Drive and to the El Tovar
Hotel. The entire party left the park via his campaign train at
the Grand Canyon Railroad Depot. The visit lasted approximately four
hours. Approximately 120 NPS personnel were assigned to the event,
including 49 rangers. A six-member squad of the IMT SET team was also
utilized. Support was provided by law enforcement representatives
from the US Secret Service, Arizona Department of Public Safety,
Coconino County Sheriff's Office, Flagstaff Police Department, and
Scottsdale Police Department. National, state, and local media covered
the visit.
Just before 1 a.m. on July 10th, park dispatch received a 911 call
reporting a domestic violence incident in which a man and woman were
yelling and screaming outside the laundry at one of the Grand Canyon's
trailer parks. The responding rangers contacted two men and two women
and found that one couple had been involved in the incident. The man,
who was about 25 years old, was determined to be the primary aggressor.
Although no physical violence was reported in this confrontation, the
woman said that she'd been victim of a number of other instances of
physical violence over the previous two years and that the man had also
threatened her mother. The man, who has been arrested repeatedly by
rangers, was on probation and banned from the park at the time of the
incident. He was arrested and charged with assault. He entered a guilty
plea and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, a year of supervised
probation and a fine. The other man at the scene, who was extremely
uncooperative, intoxicated and provided false information about his
identity, was issued mandatory appearance citations for minor
consumption of alcohol and disorderly conduct. The other woman was
issued a citation for providing alcohol to minors.
Rangers recently responded to a report of an employee being detained
by management at a concession-operated grocery store for "under-ringing"
items at a checkout register. He was interviewed by rangers and admitted
that he had been engaging in under-ringing for the previous two months.
He said that friends would come to his check-out line with expensive
alcohol and that he would charge for a small item, then zero out the
charge for the alcohol. He was arrested and charged with
misappropriation of property. He pled guilty in magistrate's court and
was sentenced to restitution of the $400 worth of charges, a suspended
fine (contingent on payment of restitution), and probation. His
conspirators have been identified and have also been charged.
Just after midnight on Thursday, September 9th, park dispatch
received a report of a missing person on the Colorado River. The
reporting party, a trip leader for a commercial river company, told the
dispatcher that one of his passengers was missing from the group's camp,
and reported that another passenger had heard splashing and shouts for
"help" coming from the river two hours previously. The river crew
took a boat out to assist, but were unable to locate anyone in distress.
A check of the camp revealed that P.S., 48, of Newcastle,
Washington, was missing. NPS personnel responded at daylight by park
helicopter. A helicopter search was begun and a dive team from Glen
Canyon NRA searched a large eddy and the point where P.S. had last been
seen. The dive team was demobilized the following day after extensive
searching. Search efforts are continuing, with daily reconnaissance
flights 15 miles downriver from the point last seen.
On September 7th, park SAR personnel were contacted by the FAA control tower at Grand Canyon Airport with an emergency relay from a tour helicopter that was flying over the park. The tour pilot had received a ground-to-air radio report from a person reporting that a 57-year-old man had been killed in a fall in the area of North Canyon. The park's helicopter was dispatched with a ranger/paramedic and an investigator on board. They found that the victim — G.W. of Michigan — had been on a private river trip through the park. He and others on the trip were on a day hike in the canyon when G.W. fell about 35 feet while traversing a slickrock ledge. A doctor in the group provided immediate care, but G.W. died within minutes, evidently from head trauma.[Submitted by Marc Yeston, IC]
On the morning of Tuesday, September 14th, park dispatch received a
satellite phone call reporting the discovery of a body in the Colorado
River. The caller, a trip leader for a commercial river company, said
that he'd seen the body at the mouth of Forster Canyon. Park personnel
flew to the spot in the park helicopter. The body was retrieved and
flown to the South Rim, then taken to the county medical examiner's
office. The victim has been identified as P.S., 48, of Newcastle,
Washington, who was reported missing from his commercial tour group on
September 8th. P.S. evidently walked away from his campsite and
inexplicably ended up in the river. The investigation is continuing.
Click on the following for the original report:
Dispatch received a report of a visitor fall in the Redwall Bridge
area along the North Kaibab trail on September 18th. Park rescue
personnel flew to the site, anticipating a short-haul rescue based on
the initial information received on the accident. While conducting a
recon of the area, located below the Needle's Eye, the helicopter flew
into dangerous winds in the narrow canyon and the crew aborted the
mission for safety reasons. They were able to confirm that the hiker had
died in the fall, though, based on the fall distance (about 500 feet)
and the lack of signs of life. They also determined that the terrain
— a very steep slope with large loose rocks — and incoming
severe weather created an excessively hazardous environment for
rescuers. Unfavorable weather delayed the recovery operation for several
days. On September 21st, a recovery team was lowered to the site by
helicopter short-haul. Team members conducted an investigation and
extricated the body. The victim was identified as Marlin Lindquist, 70,
who was on a rim-to-rim backpacking trip with his wife when the accident
occurred. Members of the recovery and investigation team were rangers
Marc Yeston and Greg Moore; Paul Ross was the spotter and Mike
Brinkworth the pilot.
Just after 1 p.m. on October 4th, park dispatch received a cell phone call reporting that a man had fallen into the canyon near Mather Point. Responding personnel pinpointed the location on the west side of the point directly below Rim Trail. K.S., 88, of Torrance, California, survived the 150-foot fall, which occurred while he was scrambling off-trail on exposed terrain. Ranger Greg Moore reached K.S. via a technical rope lowering and immediately secured him. While K.S.'s injuries were being treated, the park helicopter was prepared for a short haul rescue. Paramedics Nate Becker and Marc Yeston were lifted from the road near Mather Point and flown to the accident site. Pilot Greg Haufle and short haul spotter Mike Minton then delivered additional EMS equipment to the paramedics. Once K.S. was packaged on a rigid backboard and placed in a Bauman
bag stretcher, he was lifted out and flown directly to the South Rim
helibase with Becker as his attendant. K.S. was then transferred to a
Classic Air Ambulance, flown to Flagstaff Medical Center, and admitted
to the center's critical care unit.
On August 17th, a 16-year-old boy accidentally fell to his death at a developed and fenced viewpoint near the Walhalla Overlook. The victim was traveling with his family when they stopped at the overlook to view the Grand Canyon from the North Rim. The boy ran ahead of his parents toward the overlook, which was 260 feet away. When the parents arrived, he was nowhere to be seen and did not respond to their shouts. The parents then called for ranger assistance via their ON-STAR system. The responding rangers found and recovered the body of the boy 100 feet directly below the overlook. The body was recovered by one of the park's contract helicopters via the long-line short-haul system. [Submitted by Mark C. McCutcheon, North District Ranger]
On August 14th, rangers investigated two auto break-ins that occurred on the North Rim. On the following morning, two people were taken into custody for these thefts while illegally camping at the Vista Encantada overlook on the North Rim. Both are being held on a multitude of felony charges stemming from over a dozen car clouts that occurred in several western national parks beginning in early August. The investigation into the extend of these car clouts is on-going. [Mark McCuthcheon, North District Ranger]
Rangers began searching for overdue camper R.R., 46, on the evening of Sunday, September 11th. R.R. came to the attention of rangers when his rental car and camping equipment were found in his campsite at Mather campground following his expected check-out date. On Tuesday, searchers aboard the park's helicopter spotted a body 300 feet below a popular viewpoint. A technical rescue team retrieved the victim, but soon determined that it was not R.R.. The remains were evidently those of a suicidal person from El Paso, Texas. The effort to find R.R. is continuing with limited ground and aerial searches. An active investigation is underway as rangers work to identify persons who may have been camped near or seen R.R. To date, over 3,000 hours have been logged in the effort to find him, with few substantial clues developed. On the ground efforts will be scaled back as areas of interest are searched to a high probability of detection. Activities related to the investigation are expected to continue and have expanded into the states of Colorado and Utah. [Submitted by Marc Yeston, Acting Canyon District Ranger]
On the night of January 4th, park dispatch received a phone call from a local resident reporting that she had been threatened by her 21-year-old former boyfriend. Rangers had previous contact with the boyfriend a week earlier when he attempted suicide by puncturing a can of hair spray and drinking it as the contents released under pressure. On this occasion, he was reportedly threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend, then himself. As rangers were responding, dispatch received a second call from the woman in which she reported that he'd threatened her with a rifle and had shot at her before disappearing into the woods behind the housing unit. In addition to rangers on shift, the park's special response team was activated and containment points were set up. Meanwhile, the woman received another call from her ex-boyfriend in which he said that he knew that rangers were looking for him and that he wouldn't be taken alive. IC Karyl Yeston obtained his cell phone number and called him. At first, the man said that he'd shot himself and was bleeding out, but as Yeston continued talking with him he determined that the man was uninjured. Yeston was able to talk him out the place where he was hiding and get him to come into a well-lit area, where he was arrested at gunpoint without further incident. His semi-automatic .22 caliber rifle was recovered in the woods nearby. He is currently in custody in the Coconino Country Detention Facility pending a detention hearing. [Mike Archer, South Rim District Ranger]
A ranger contacted two out-of-bounds campers - a man and a woman - near Desert View on the morning of January 5th. Drug paraphernalia was seen in plain view, and a handgun and ammunition were found during a search of their vehicle. The woman complained of an injured sternum during detention, so a park ambulance with a paramedic was called to the scene. The woman was belligerent on scene and refused care once medical personnel arrived. The paramedic who looked at her determined that she was incapable of making an informed decision about her care due to her diminished mental capacity, possibly due to drugs. During preparations to transport her in the ambulance, she began spitting on two rangers and kicked, grabbed and scratched a third. She was taken to Flagstaff Medical Clinic, then to the Coconino Country Detention Facility pending a detention hearing for charges of assault on a federal officer. Her partner was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and released. [Mike Archer, South Rim District Ranger]
On Monday, May 15th, three river concessioners reported cases of gastrointestinal illness on three separate river trips on the Colorado River within the park. Gastrointestinal illness is characterized by vomiting and/or diarrhea and is one of the most common illnesses in the United States with an estimated 23 million cases per year: The first river concessioner reported gastrointestinal illness in five of 28 passengers. The trip launched on May 13th at Lees Ferry and is expected off the river at Whitmore Wash on May 28th. The second river concessioner reported that six to seven of 15 passengers had experienced vomiting. The trip launched on May 1st and is expected off the river at Diamond Creek on May 18th. The third river concessioner reported that six of 16 passengers had gastrointestinal illness. This trip launched from Lees Ferry on May 12th and will take out at Lake Mead NRA on May 26th. A case was also reported to the National Park Service on May 5th on a commercial trip that had launched from Lees Ferry on May 1st. The trip ended at Whitmore Wash on May 10th. Five of 15 passengers were reported to have had gastrointestinal illness during the trip. The NPS and a consultant from the Public Health Service are investigating the reports. Samples were taken from the first trip that reported illnesses earlier this month. Additional samples will be taken based on these latest reports and passengers from each of the trips will be interviewed to determine if there were any commonalities or interrelated events. The park requires both commercial and noncommercial river runners to report any cases of gastrointestinal illness that occur on the river at the end of a trip. However, trip leaders are required to report gastrointestinal illness within 24 hours if three or more passengers or crew experience same during a trip. Commercial trip leaders are required to notify the concessioner as soon as possible; the concessioner then notifies the park. Noncommercial trip leaders are required to notify the National Park Service directly using any of a variety of communications methods. The regulation has proven successful in helping identify clusters of illness and the routes of transmission, thereby making it possible for the NPS and PHS to develop means to help slow down the spread of illness in the future. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Just before 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 15th, rangers located the body of a 24-year-old Utah man approximately 600 feet below the rim at Maricopa Point along the west rim. They were led to Maricopa Point after visitors turned in a backpack that they had found near the rim earlier in the morning. A hasty search led to the discovery of the body. Maricopa Point is approximately one mile west of the Bright Angel Lodge in the developed area on the South Rim. The area is accessed by shuttle and tour buses as well as pedestrian trails. The body has been taken to the county medical examiner's office in Flagstaff. An investigation is underway. The death is being treated as a suicide. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Specialist]
Park dispatch received a call reporting a serious fall from the South Rim just before 2 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17th. A 23-year-old employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts had been celebrating his birthday by drinking through the night with two companions. The trio had climbed down to a point 70 feet below the South Rim near Verkamp's Curio Store. The victim then climbed to the top of a 20-foot-tall rock pinnacle which jutted out into the canyon, lost his grip, fell and struck a small saddle, then attempted to arrest his continued fall by grabbing at some vegetation. His companions watched as he fell out of sight in the darkness. They called to him but received no response, so climbed out of the canyon and called 911. The first ranger on scene was able to get a voice response from the man. He immediately rigged and rappelled 120 feet down to him and secured him outside of the rock fall zone. Other rescuers arrived on scene and rigged for a technical raising, with additional lighting brought in to illuminate the area. Another ranger was lowered with a rescue litter. The man's injuries were stabilized and he was secured to the litter. A mechanical advantage pulley system was employed to raise him to the rim. While this rescue was underway, some rangers had to be quickly dispatched to a medical incident involving a seizure patient in the village. The fall victim was transferred to Guardian Medical Transport and taken to Flagstaff Medical Center. [Ken Phillips, Incident Commander]
Between Friday, May 12th, and Friday, May 19th, South Rim rangers responded to the following significant incidents along with numerous medicals, DUI arrests, domestic disputes, warrant arrests, minor motor vehicle accidents, larcenies, public intoxication arrests and assist calls. They are also in addition to two previously reported incidents - that of the suicide victim found below Maricopa Point (May 19th) and the technical rescue of a concession employee from a point below Verkamp's Curio Store (May 24th): Attempted Suicide - Rangers responded to an incident in which a 51-year-old woman took an overdose of morphine pills. She was transported by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center. Agency Assist- Rangers helped US Marshals serve an arrest warrant in the park on a local resident. The man has been arrested several times by rangers and was the subject of a barricade incident two years ago. Fatality - On May 17th, rangers investigated a report of a man not breathing at a cabin at the Bright Angel Lodge. CPR was performed with advanced life support intervention. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and the man was declared dead at the scene. Felony Theft, Warrant Arrest - On the morning of May 17th, a 41-year-old woman from Flagstaff who was a passenger in a DUI arrest was released to a local resident to sober up. After she departed the resident's trailer that evening, he reported that she had stolen approximately $1,400 worth of cash and jewelry from him while she was there. The woman, who owned the car involved in the DUI, contacted rangers shortly after the theft was reported to retrieve her car from the park impound facility. The woman, who was intoxicated, confessed to stealing the money and jewelry. An NCIC check indicated she had an extraditable warrant out of Winslow, Arizona (she had given rangers a different date of birth and name spelling earlier in the day, and an NCIC check at that time indicated a non-extraditable warrant). The woman was arrested and transported to the park's booking facility. During the booking process, she told rangers that she had not taken her seizure medicine that morning and that she felt like she was going to have a seizure. She then began the first in a series of five seizures. Guardian Ambulance responded from Tusayan, Arizona, just outside the park, and transported the woman to Flagstaff Medical Center. Rangers accompanied the ambulance and took her to the Coconino County Jail when she was released from the hospital. Charges will be filed for the theft after her warrant is cleared. Agency Assist, Mass Casualty Incident - At 1:45 a.m. on May 19th, rangers who were finishing paperwork from an earlier DUI arrest responded in a park ambulance to a request for assistance from a Coconino County deputy. The deputy was on the scene of a single car rollover accident on a Forest Service road with five victims, three of whom had critical injuries. A Guardian ambulance and the Tusayan Fire Department also responded. The three people with critical injuries were transported to Flagstaff Medical Center. [Karyl Yeston, South Rim Shift Supervisor]
Over the two week period between May 21st and June 3rd, rangers dealt with a series of significant incidents along with eight assists to the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, seven domestic violence incidents and numerous other calls: Assist with Manhunt - A Coconino County deputy asked for assistance in Tusayan, just outside the park, on May 23rd. A 30-year-old man was holding a stolen handgun to the head of another man in a hotel lobby and threatening to kill him. The assailant believed that the man had attempted to sexually assault his girlfriend the previous day and was angry about it. The second man, however, had no involvement in the assault. The assailant fled on foot onto nearby Forest Service lands. Rangers, deputies, highway patrol officers and a DPS helicopter established a perimeter and conducted a three-hour search for the man, but he remains at large. Felony Theft - On May 25th, a county deputy reported that he was in contact with a man outside the park who had set off a theft alarm when he walked out of a gift store with a day pack. Inside the pack, the deputy found shirts and necklaces bearing the park concessioner's price tags. The man was contacted by rangers when he was dropped off at his concession employee apartment. He admitted that he'd stolen the items in his pack and permitted the rangers to search his room to show them that he hadn't stolen anything else. During the consent search, the rangers found about $1,200 worth of merchandise that the man subsequently admitted to stealing from park concessioners and stores outside the park. Many of these items also still bore price tags. He was charged with theft (18 USC 661) and possession of stolen property (18 USC 662), both felonies. Felony Warrant Arrests - During a car stop at Desert View on May 26th, a ranger found that there were extraditable felony warrants on file against two of the vehicle's occupants. The ranger, who was alone, kept the two men and four other people inside the car until back-up arrived. All six were then removed from the vehicle using high-risk vehicle stop procedures. The two men with warrants against them were taken to the county jail. Vehicle Stop with Confrontation - On May 27th, a ranger attempted to stop a speeding car, but the driver refused to pull over and fled at a high rate of speed. Rangers conducted a felony stop on an unpaved Forest Service road just outside of the park. One of the seven people in the vehicle obeyed their commands and got out of the car. Because the windows were tinted, rangers could not seen inside and didn't discover the other six people until they approached the vehicle with an assisting county deputy. Four were removed without incident. One man declined to show his hands as ordered and reached inside his coat pocket, pulling out a can of beer. The last occupant physically resisted removal from the vehicle and attempted to grab a rangers' gun. The ranger used his Taser on the man and took him into custody. One of the passengers was arrested on an outstanding warrant, and the driver was arrested on both an outstanding warrant and a DUI charge. Confrontation with Juvenile - A ranger responding to a noise complaint at the concession employee laundry in a South Rim trailer park came upon a local juvenile who rangers knew well from previous contacts. He fled when the ranger attempted to contact him, but she chased him down and placed him under arrest with assistance from her back-up. During the contact, the juvenile, who was extremely intoxicated, spit at the rangers, threatened them, and attempted to break the window of a patrol vehicle with his head. He was taken to the county juvenile detention center. Domestic violence Confrontation - A man knocked on the door of an off-duty ranger's house on May 31st and reported that he'd fled his RV after his domestic partner, who was drunk, had attempted to stab him with a large knife. Rangers went to the RV, but received no reply at the door. They eventually entered the vehicle and found the man hiding under his bed. He refused to comply with repeated commands to come out, but the rangers were able to pull him out. He was arrested for disorderly conduct (fighting) and being under the influence. [Karyl Yeston, South Rim Shift Supervisor]
Highway 67 and the North Rim remained closed yesterday as a result of the Warm Fire. The fire, which was started by lightning on June 8th, is burning approximately 30 miles north of the North Rim's developed area. The North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest closed to public access Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. and will remain closed until further notice. The closure is due to both the fire and firefighting operations. NPS personnel, along with members of Joe Reinarz's Northern Arizona Type 2 incident management team began escorting visitors out of the North Rim on Monday. Seventy-seven vehicles were escorted out of the park to Fredonia, Arizona, using Forest Road 22, a dirt road west of the fire. Yesterday morning, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Arizona Department of Transportation began working in unison to evaluate Highway 67 to determine if it is safe and free of hazards. Once this has been determined, the remaining visitors and park employees will be escorted from the park. If it is determined that Highway 67 is not passable, the National Park Service and the IMT will continue to escort visitors out of the park using Forest Road 22. Visitors are currently staged at the Grand Canyon Lodge, the North Rim Campground and North Rim Entrance Station. Park officials hoped to have the remaining 150 vehicles escorted out of the park by noon yesterday. Park employees were to be escorted out sometime early yesterday afternoon. Coconino County Emergency Services and the American Red Cross are working to set up facilities to provide support for park employees and residents who will be escorted from the park. Additional information on the location of those facilities will be provided as soon as it becomes available. The North Rim will remain closed until further notice. The South Rim remains open. All facilities and services on the South Rim are open and accessible. Information on the status of North Rim lodging can be obtained by calling 1-888-297-2757. Information on camping can be obtained by calling Spherix at 1-800-365-2267 and, for backcountry camping, by calling Grand Canyon's Backcountry Information Center at 1-928-638-7875. For additional information on the Warm Fire, please contact the Northern Arizona Type 2 incident management team at one of the following phone numbers: 1-928-643-6804, 1-928-640-6103 or 6104. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer, Grand Canyon NP]
Approximately 200 employees and residents from the North Rim were escorted out of the park using Highway 67 on Wednesday morning. Highway 67 was approved for use by those leaving the area by the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Arizona Department of Transportation. The National Park Service, personnel from those three organizations, and members of the Northern Arizona Type 2 incident management team escorted employees and residents from the park. A shelter has been established by the American Red Cross's Salt Lake City office at the Fredonia High School in Fredonia, Arizona. Employees and residents without a place to go are being taken to the high school, which will be staffed by the Red Cross. The Forest Service has closed the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest to public access. Highway 67 and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park are also closed until further notice. These closures will be evaluated on a daily basis. The closures were precipitated by the Warm Fire, which is burning approximately 30 miles north of Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim developed area. The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park remains open. All facilities and services are open and accessible. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
The North Rim and Arizona State Highway 67 reopened to the public on Monday, July 3rd. The North Rim had been closed since the previous Monday due to the nearby Warm Fire. All services resumed when the area opened at 8 a.m. Visitors can check the status of their hotel reservations on the North Rim by calling Xanterra reservations in Denver at 888-297-2757 (those calling from outside of the United States must call 303-297-2757). Questions regarding campground reservations for the North Rim campground can be answered by calling Spherix at 800-365-2267 (callers from outside of the United States must call 301-722-1257). For questions on mule rides, please call Grand Canyon Trail Rides at 435-679-8665. The North Kaibab Ranger District in the Kaibab NF remains closed, though. Visitors with backcountry permits who require access through the North Kaibab Ranger District and those with questions regarding their backcountry permits should contact the Grand Canyon Backcountry Information Center at 928-638-7875 between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. MST. [Leah McGinnis, Management Assistant]
Rangers are conducting a search for 19-year-old I.S., who has been missing since Sunday, July 16th. I.S., a Ukrainian citizen and current Grand Canyon resident, was last seen near Hermit Rapid along the Colorado River around 6 p.m. Sunday evening. She and a partner were on an overnight hike when she disappeared. I.S.'s companion reported that she'd gone down to the river to go to the bathroom and failed to return. He reported her missing on Monday morning, adding that he'd searched for her through most of the night. Aerial and river searches were made yesterday. Rangers are concentrating their efforts in areas of high probability along the Colorado River from Hermit Creek down stream for a dozen miles to Bass Rapids. About 30 park staff are currently involved in the search. I.S. is Caucasian with black hair and brown eyes. She's 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. When last seen, she was wearing blue jean denim cut-off shorts, a blue, green and white flowered bikini-style top, and white tennis shoes. Anyone with information on her should contact the NPS at 928-638-7805. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
The search for I.S., 19, a Grand Canyon resident and Ukrainian citizen, continues. I.S. was last seen around 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 16th, near Hermit Creek. She and companion hiked down to the river that day and had planned on spending the night in the canyon before hiking back out on Monday. Her companion reported her missing after she failed to return from a hike downriver. Search efforts have focused on the Hermit, Boucher and Tonto trails and adjacent backcountry areas and along the 25 miles of the Colorado River from Hermit Creek to Blacktail Canyon. A shoe matching one that was thought to be worn by I.S. was recovered last Friday by rangers nine miles downstream from the point where she was last seen. A second matching shoe was found later the same day about a mile further downriver. Rangers continue to search the river and shoreline downstream from Hermit Creek, but so far have found nothing further. Approximately 30 people from the National Park Service are involved in the search. Missing person flyers have been distributed throughout the South Rim developed area and in backcountry locations and park rangers have been advising backpackers and boaters on commercial and private river trips to watch for any signs of I.S. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Rangers continue their search for a 19-year-old hiker who has been missing since Sunday, July 16th. I.S., a Grand Canyon resident and Ukrainian citizen, was reported missing by her hiking partner on July 17th. Rangers have been searching for I.S. since then. Search efforts have focused on areas below the South Rim, including Hermit, Boucher and Tonto trails and adjacent backcountry areas and the 25-mile-long stretch of the Colorado River from Hermit Creek to Blacktail Canyon. Late last week, rangers found two shoes that they believe I.S. was wearing when she disappeared. Both shoes were found in the Colorado River. No further evidence has been found since then. Helicopter operations have been scaled back until Saturday, which will be 14 days after her disappearance. Analysis of previous Colorado River searches indicates that the probability of locating someone in the river increases after 14 to 16 days. Backcountry patrol rangers also continue to search for I.S. during regular patrols. Backcountry users and boaters on the Colorado River have been asked to watch for any signs of I.S. and report any sightings. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Rafters on a private river trip found a woman's body in an eddy along the Colorado River just below Ruby Rapid around 6 p.m. on July 30th. The discovery was reported to park dispatch via satellite phone. Rangers recovered the body the next day and transferred the remains to the county medical examiner's office. The victim was subsequently identified as I.S., who has been the subject of an intensive search since she was last seen by her hiking partner on the evening of Sunday, July 16th. The body was found about nine miles downriver from the point where she was last seen and where tennis shoes matching the type she was wearing were found over a week ago. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
The park conducted three short-haul rescues during the second half of July: Thursday, July 13th - Rangers on the Bright Angel trail received a report of an unconscious 14-year-old day hiker approximately one mile down the trail. Upon arrival, they confirmed that the girl was unconscious and requested a helicopter to extricate her to the rim. A medic was short-hauled by the park helicopter to the scene from the South Rim. The girl was stabilized and evacuated by short-haul back to the helibase, then transferred to an air ambulance and transported to Flagstaff Medical Center. Tuesday, July 25th - Dispatch received report of an overdue backpacker on the Shoshone Point route. Portions of the route consist of a fourth class climb through the Coconino formation with significant exposure. A search with the park helicopter was begun and the man was found about 10 minutes later. He was conscious but appeared to have fallen approximately 50 feet and had sustained lower leg injuries. A short-haul operation was launched, using Yaki Point as the staging area. A medic was flow in and lowered to the scene. He stabilized the man and the two of them were extracted via short-haul back to Yaki Point. The patient was transferred to a park ambulance, driven to the South Rim helibase, transferred to an air ambulance and transported to Flagstaff Medical Center. Saturday July 29th - Dispatch received a report of an unconscious 55-year-old woman about a mile and three-quarters down the North Kaibab trail. According to the report, she'd fallen off a mule on a concession ride to Roaring Springs. Rescuers headed down the trail from the North Rim and by park helicopter from the South Rim. When they reached the woman, she'd regained consciousness, but was suffering from pelvic, arm and head injuries. A helicopter cargo let-down operation was conducted to lower equipment to the scene. The woman was stabilized and extracted by helicopter short-haul from Supai Tunnel to the North Rim helibase, then transferred to an air ambulance and transported to Flagstaff Medical Center. [Bil Vandergraff, Backcountry Ranger]
Storms that passed over the Grand Canyon area last Monday and Tuesday evenings caused damage to the River Trail, which connects the popular Bright Angel and Kaibab Trails. Although the trail is still open to hikers, a two-mile section was eroded, exposing power and water lines. As a result, overnight mule trips to Phantom Ranch, run by Xanterra South Rim, will be cancelled through at least Saturday, August 5th, or until the trail is safe for mule travel. One-day mule trips from the Bright Angel trailhead to Plateau Point, also operated by Xanterra, are still available. The trail damage was discovered after aerial flights on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The area known as the Sand Dunes, which is located approximately seven miles below the rim on the River Trail, was the most severely affected by the storms. Approximately 1800 linear feet of trail was eroded and other sections of the River Trail covered by debris. Trail crew members will replace nine to twelve inches of soil over the exposed lines and replace fill material where water has eroded the trail. They will also be removing debris that has washed onto several sections of the River Trail. Repair work is expected to take seven to fourteen days to complete. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
On August 14th, S.S., 61, of Diamond Bar, California, pled guilty to three counts of conspiring to fraudulently obtain noncommercial river permits through Grand Canyon National Park. S.S. was using the identities of deceased or fictitious people to obtain permits. As a result of the plea agreement, S.S. was sentenced to 30 days in jail, placed on probation for five years (during which he is banned from all National Park Service areas), and ordered to pay $15,000 to the Grand Canyon Search and Rescue Fund. "We are pleased with the outcome of this case and feel it reflects the serious nature of the offense committed," said superintendent Joseph Alston. "In this case, S.S. put his personal interests in front of thousands of others who have waited years for the opportunity for a river trip. We hope this sentence serves as a deterrent to others who have tried to abuse the system." The plea agreement stemmed from a two-year-long investigation that included rangers from Grand Canyon, investigators from Grand Canyon and Glen Canyon, and personnel from the Grand Canyon permits office. A second defendant and co-conspirator will be tried in November. [Michael McGinnis, River District Ranger]
Skeletal remains found in a drainage below the South Rim earlier this month have been identified as those of R.R., a 46-year-old Phoenix man who has been missing since September, 2005. The remains were identified by a forensic odontologist. R.R. was staying at Mather Campground on the South Rim when he disappeared. A large scale search was conducted that included areas around Mather Campground, areas adjacent to the campground, and along the Rim, Bright Angel, South Kaibab, Hermit and Tonto trails. Aircraft, search dogs and technical search teams covered all areas where they believed that R.R. might have hiked. R.R.'s remains were found by a backcountry ranger during a routine patrol earlier this month. They were recovered last week and taken to the county medical examiner's office for identification. No determination has yet been made regarding the cause of death. An investigation is underway. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
A long-time park resident was running on a trail behind the Albright Training Center between Center Road and the Grand Canyon School around 6 a.m. on September 19th when he was charged by a large bull elk. He saw that the elk was rubbing its antlers on a tree and acting aggressively, so he took evasive action and ran off trail into the woods around it. The elk pursued, though, and knocked him down. He was able to get away and flagged down a passerby, who called for assistance. The runner suffered scrapes and bruises along with an ankle injury and was transported by ambulance to the Flagstaff Medical Center. Park wildlife biologists and rangers will spend the next several days in the area where the incident occurred and will attempt to move the elk out of the area using aversive conditioning. Although encounters with bull elk have not been common within the park, rangers are reminding residents and park visitors that it is rutting season for both deer and elk. During this period, generally September/October, these animals become increasingly aggressive and may become angered by any intrusion into their territory. Elk, which can weigh as much as 1,000 pounds, have been known to injure or kill people who approach them. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
The Coconino County Sheriff's Office broadcast a 'be on the lookout' message on September 5th for a blue Jeep Liberty that had just left the Tusayan airport and was headed toward the park. The driver, identified as D.L., 36, had threatened to blowup or shoot down a helicopter. Although the message didn't indicate whether or not D.L. was armed, the reporting party said that he had ammunition with him. The Jeep was spotted in the park and followed while rangers positioned themselves for a high-risk vehicle stop. Before they could all get into place, though, D.L. pulled into a parking area and jumped out of his car. Rangers on foot, on bikes and in patrol vehicles converged on him and detained him at the county's request. Investigation revealed that D.L. had rented a car in California and driven to the Flagstaff airport, where he left the car, rented a second car, and continued on to the Tusayan airport. D.L. had damaged property inside the airport terminal and also made the threatening statements about shooting down aircraft. D.L. had a U.S. passport with numerous stamps from Jordan and other Middle-Eastern countries. He said he worked for the NSA and was highly agitated about the situation in Iran. He was taken to Flagstaff for a psychiatric evaluation, then turned over to the county. [Karyl Yeston, Incident Commander]
A Grand Canyon resident has been sentenced following her fourth DUI arrest by rangers. The woman pled guilty to her most recent charge before a federal magistrate in Flagstaff on August 31st. At the time of her arrest, she was on supervised probation for a DUI arrest that occurred in the park earlier this year. She was sentenced to 37 days in jail for the probation violation (time she'd served since her arrest), another 143 days in jail for this violation (which began the day of sentencing), and five years' supervised probation. Probation conditions include no alcohol consumption, no alcohol allowed in her residence, prohibition from being in the company of anyone consuming alcohol, and prohibition from entering any establishment where alcohol is served, including restaurants. She was also ordered not to drive motor vehicles. During the sentencing hearing, the assistant U.S. attorney pointed out that Grand Canyon rangers have been dealing with this woman since 1979, that this was her fourth DUI arrest, and that they've also had more than 28 alcohol-related contacts with three of her children. The AUSA also noted that nothing seems to get her attention, including the death of one of her sons in a DUI accident. At the time of this arrest, she was driving a vehicle with a memorial sticker to her son affixed to it. [Mike Archer, Deputy Chief Ranger]
T.J.O., 45, of Whitewater, California, pled guilty on October 6th to three counts of conspiring to fraudulently obtain noncommercial river permits for the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon by using the identities of deceased or fictitious people. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, five years probation (during which he is banned from all National Park Service areas), and a $7,500 payment to the Grand Canyon Search and Rescue Fund. T.J.O. pled guilty to offenses from two separate complaints for his actions from May, 2001, through June, 2006. "We appreciate the efforts of the U.S. Attorney's Office in prosecuting this case," said superintendent Joe Alston. "We are pleased with the outcome and hope his sentence will serve as a deterrent to others that have tried to abuse the system and who have unjustly impacted those who have legitimately waited many years for a river permit." The investigation in this case was conducted by staff from Grand Canyon and Glen Canyon. The prosecution was handled by Camille D. Bibles, assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona. For particulars on a related conviction, click on HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=2836". [Wyn Hornbuckle, U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona]
While responding to an unrelated medical call on the Bright Angel Trail, the crew of a park helicopter spotted a vehicle 500 feet below the canyon rim near an area known as the Abyss late on Thursday, November 16th. The Abyss is located approximately four miles west of Grand Canyon Village. The flight crew also reported a body about 150 feet above the wreckage. An emergency response crew found the vehicle and confirmed the presence of the body before night fell. At the time of Friday's report, a recovery team was headed to the location to recover the body and conduct an investigation. No further details are yet available. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
On the evening of Sunday, November 26th, park emergency personnel responded to a cardiac arrest in progress. The 30-year-old wife of a park ranger-paramedic called out to her husband, who was upstairs in their residence. When he came downstairs to investigate, he found his wife unconscious and pulseless. He quickly began CPR and phoned for assistance. Rangers responded immediately. Incredibly, an AED was at the patient's side within two minutes of the call and she was defibrillated by her husband. Emergency personnel stabilized her in a perfusing rhythm and transported her by ambulance to the Grand Canyon Airport. The woman, still unconscious, was flown 75 miles by an aeromedical helicopter to Flagstaff Medical Center. She regained consciousness the following day and continues to receive follow-up care. [Ken Phillips, Chief Emergency Services]
While responding to an unrelated medical call on the Bright Angel Trail, the crew of a park helicopter spotted a vehicle 600 feet below the canyon rim near an area known as the Abyss late on Thursday, November 16th (click on "More Information" below for the original report). A body was round nearby. The victim's remains were recovered on the following day, but it took a little longer to arrange the extrication of the car. On November 30th, park SAR personnel, assisted by a heavy-lift Kaman Aerospace KMAX helicopter, removed the wreckage of the Chrysler Crossfire from the canyon. The vehicle was owned by Alamo Rent-A-Car, which agreed to pay for the cost of the salvage operation. The Crossfire weighed about 3,200 pounds. The KMAX, which employs a unique intermeshing rotor technology with two counter-rotating main rotors and no tail rotor, was specifically designed for heavy lifting work and was already scheduled to be in the park for a major maintenance project. [Submitted by Ken Phillips, Chief, Emergency Services]
Rangers conducting a DUI enforcement operation in South Rim Village in the early morning hours of January 1st attempted to stop a Toyota sport utility vehicle for traffic violations, but the driver refused to pull over and accelerated away when the patrol vehicle's siren was activated. The license plate on the Toyota came back to a 2003 Saab. The rangers pursued him for about eight miles on Highway 64 (Desert View Drive) until the driver came to a sudden stop at the Thor's Hammer overlook, jumped out, ran toward the rim of the canyon, and disappeared from view. The rangers followed his tracks to the rim and discovered that he had gone over the edge. A technical rescue was begun. The 23-year-old man, who had sustained only a minor injury, was found about three hours later approximately 600 feet below the rim in thick vegetation covered by ice and snow. Rangers reached him via two separate technical lowerings, then short-hauled him from below the rim to Highway 64. He was taken by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was treated for an ankle sprain and released. He was then taken to the Coconino County detention facility, where he remains detained following an initial appearance on multiple charges. Nineteen park employees and a pilot were committed to the rescue, which took more than 10 hours to complete. Rangers determined that the man had stolen the vehicle from a dealership where he'd been employed in Florida but that the theft had not yet been reported. He'd come to the Grand Canyon to commit suicide. [Submitted by Michael Nash, Incident Commander]
On January 20th, three men — D.Y., S.M., and J.T. — hiked out the Bright Angel Trail, backpacking out their mountain bikes. The group of three cyclists told visitors that they were on a two-year-long mountain biking trip, riding their bikes from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to the tip of South America, and that they had carried their bikes across the canyon. They also told them to look at their web page (http://www. ridingthespine.com). Several days later, ranger Paul Austin checked out the page and discovered photos and video of the group riding their bikes on the North Kaibab Trail. In addition, there were photos and video of them camped on an upper section of the trail. In their journal, they wrote about riding the trail and their concern about being caught by rangers: "(We) began riding down the trail...'Goat' [one of the three] managed to bomb section after section of the trail, walking his bike only when coming into contact with other trail hikers, and when those infuriating water bars were too high to bunny hop...we were excited by the prospects of a day filled with epic downhill, we hopped on our bikes and headed down, sliding our way down a treacherous mix of snow and loose rock. Almost immediately I flew over a series of ledges and cracked the rear end off my Xtracycle." On February 16th, Austin and AUSA Camille Bibles presented a criminal complaint and affidavit before US Magistrate Judge Mark Aspey in Flagstaff, who in turn issued a summons for the group to appear in his court. D.Y., S.M. and J.T. were charged with camping without a permit, camping in an undesignated area, use of a bicycle in a closed area, giving false information, and conspiracy. Austin tracked the individuals through their website as they rode to Southern Arizona and prepared to cross into Mexico. They had posted in their blog that they were attending the "24 Hours in the Old Pueblo," a large and popular mountain bike race north of Tucson. Saguaro rangers Todd Austin and Heather Yates drove to the event site on February 17th and were able to locate the trio. Austin posed as a freelance writer interested in the group's trip, then later identified himself as a federal law enforcement ranger and issued each his summons to appear in court in Flagstaff. The three men retained an attorney and subsequently reached a plea agreement to three charges. In lieu of a $500 fine, the men agreed to donate $500 each to the Grand Canyon Search & Rescue Fund. They also agreed to redact sections of their website pertaining to illegal activities and were sentenced to 48 hours in Coconino County jail. The case generated considerable media attention. [Submitted by Bil Vandergraff, Supervisory Park Ranger, Canyon District]
On the afternoon of Thursday, March 29th, North Rim fire crew supervisor Aaron Fritzer was driving east on Desert View Drive when he came upon two vehicles that appeared to be disabled on the roadside. Fritzer stopped his NPS fire vehicle to render aid. He contacted the visitors and was in the process of walking back to his truck to call for a tow truck when both he and his vehicle were struck by an eastbound motor home. Fritzer was pinned under the RV, but was able to extricate himself and call for assistance. His truck was totaled. Fritzer was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, treated, and later released. He is currently recovering from an injury to his back. The accident occurred during a late afternoon snowstorm that had caused slick road conditions throughout the region. Desert View Drive was closed following the accident and remained closed until about 10 p.m. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
A 62-year-old Salt Lake City man died on the afternoon of March 31st while rafting on the Colorado River within the park. M.A. and another man were running Crystal Rapid when their cataraft flipped, ejecting both men from the boat. M.A.'s companion was able to swim to shore; M.A. was picked up by another boat in the party. Once on board, M.A. became unconscious and unresponsive. The people on the boat began CPR and contacted the National Park Service by satellite phone. Rangers responded and continued CPR efforts, but they proved fruitless. M.A.'s body was flown by helicopter to the South Rim, then transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office in Flagstaff. M.A.'s wife, who was also on the trip, was flown to the South Rim. A total of four boats and 12 people were on the 25-day-long private trip, which launched from Lees Ferry on March 20th. The remaining trip participants continued down river. An investigation is underway. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
A man's body was found 300 feet below Mather Point on the South Rim at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 2nd. Around 4 a.m. that morning, the park received a call from mule wranglers who work with the park concessioner, reporting that they'd seen a steady light below the rim as they were coming out of the canyon on the South Kaibab Trail. Rangers contacted the wranglers and were guided to an area below Mather Point. Two search and rescue rangers rappelled over the edge and found the man's body. It was flown out that same morning and brought to the county coroner's office. Release of the name is pending identification by the medical examiner and notification of next of kin. It's not yet known if the light reported by the wranglers was related to this incident. Rangers are searching the area by ground and air to rule out other potential light sources. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
On May 17th, the park was notified of a fatality in the inner canyon near the junction of Tonto Trail and Ruby Canyon. A.G., 56, of Salem, Oregon, had been hiking with five companions when she began having difficulties a few days prior to her death. Two members of the group hiked out to get help, while the others stayed with her. She subsequently expired. Another hiking group came upon A.G. and her companions; when they learned that she'd died, they hiked down to the river and flagged down a passing river trip, one of whose members notified the park via satellite phone. Rangers recovered the body and turned it over to the medical examiner's office in Flagstaff. Early indications are that her death may have been heat-related. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
A personal locator beacon (PLB) signal was detected in Surprise Valley, a remote location on the north side of the park, by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida on the evening of July 2nd. The park received a call about the signal at 6:26 p.m., and park staff responded by helicopter. A hiking party of four people, who had set off the beacon, was found in the area. One person was suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion and was transported out of the canyon via helicopter. The patient was later transported from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Flagstaff via ambulance. The other three members of the hiking party remained in the canyon and were given ice and water by park staff. This was the first use of a PLB in the park and the first legitimate use of this technology anywhere in the state of Arizona. When manually activated, a PLB sends out a distress signal, which is detected by satellite and transmitted to the AFRCC, which can then determine the approximate location of the signal. As search and rescue personnel head toward and get physically closer to the signal, they can determine a more specific location. Ken Phillips, the park's chief of emergency services, thinks that SAR groups will see more of PLB technology, which is now widely available. The use of satellite (SAT) phones, which have the advantage of offering two-way communication, is also on the rise. Although PLBs and other technology, such as SAT phones, can be helpful to people who are in trouble, this technology should never replace planning ahead and being prepared, especially when accessing remote areas, such as Grand Canyon's backcountry. At Grand Canyon, the Hike Smart educational campaign encourages visitors to follow certain precautions when hiking into the canyon, especially during the hot summer months. These precautions include drinking and eating often, not hiking during the heat of the day, and when possible, staying wet and cool. For more information about hiking at the Grand Canyon and Hike Smart, go to HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm" http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm. [Pamela Walls, Public Affairs Officer]
A federal grand jury in Phoenix has returned a 29-count indictment against E.M., 66, of Fort Meyers, Florida, and W.H., 53, of La Habra, California, for conspiracy, false claims, mail fraud and false statements. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on June 19th, alleges that from 2002 through 2004, E.M., as the owner and president of Pacific General Inc. (PGI), and W.H., as PGI's vice-president, conspired to fraudulently obtain federal construction contracts in the park by submitting false charges to the government for construction bonds and falsely certifying that PGI was paying its subcontractors for work on the projects. E.M. and W.H. were both charged with false claims for submitting invoices containing false bonds charges to the government, and were charged with mail fraud for devising the scheme and mailing the invoices to the government. E.M. was charged with submitting false statements for submitting certifications to the government claiming falsely that PGI had paid its subcontractors for their work on the projects. Defendants have received summons to appear in court. A conviction for conspiracy, false claims and false statements carries a maximum penalty of five years, a conviction for mail fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years, and each conviction carries a fine of $250,000 or both. In determining an actual sentence, the judge will consult the U.S. sentencing guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted the Department of the Interior's Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. [Office of the United States Attorney, District of Arizona]
On the afternoon of Monday, July 9th, park dispatch received a "be on the lookout" message from the police department in Painesville, Ohio, for a suicidal 48-year-old man. According to the BOLO, he had a seizure disorder with related violent tendencies and was off his medications. Painesville PD was actively working with the man's wife in tracking his movements through his credit card transactions. Using these transactions, they were able to estimate his speeds at an average of 100 miles per hours. The BOLO also said that the man intended to commit suicide by driving off the canyon rim and that he might take out pedestrians in his way. Rangers planned ahead on how to stop the man in the safest manner, focusing on stopping him before he reached the heavily-used Mather Point area. Several spike strip locations were identified and rangers were pre-positioned in locations to isolate him once stopped. The mans' vehicle was soon spotted by a pre-positioned ranger at the South Entrance Station. Three minutes later, three rangers and a Coconino County deputy stopped the vehicle north of the entrance station, while other rangers remained in position with spike strips and prevented other vehicles from entering the high-risk stop area. The man complied by pulling over, but got out of his car and approached the rangers and officer despite commands to stay in his car. With long guns covering them, two of the rangers approached him with their tasers. His response was to tell them to "go ahead, you will make my day by ending this right now." He then threw up his arms and turned to get back into the car. The rangers closed the distance to the man and fired their tasers to keep him from doing so. One of the tasers was effective - the man locked up his arms in front of him and fell over backwards. An ambulance that was staged up the road responded and its personnel provided medical attention. The man was restrained immediately thereafter, then taken to Flagstaff Medical Center, 74 miles away. He was combative all the way. The man sustained a basal skull fracture from the fall. As of July 16th, he was still in protective care and was expected to make a full recovery. [Michael Nash, South Rim District Ranger]
A man fell approximately 300 feet to his death from the west side of Bright Angel Point on the North Rim around 10:30 a.m. yesterday morning. Bright Angel Point is located a quarter of a mile southeast of the Grand Canyon Lodge and the North Rim developed area. After the park's dispatch center received a cell phone call from the victim's brother, rangers were dispatched to the scene but could not make direct contact with the man. The park's helicopter was launched and rangers were short-hauled to the body. They confirmed that the man had died of injuries sustained in the fall. The body was flown to the South Rim, then transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office in Flagstaff, Arizona. A family liaison officer from the NPS is providing support services to the family. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Specialist]
The crew of a helicopter conducting a reconnaissance of the North Rim while monitoring the Roosevelt Fire last Tuesday afternoon spotted the body of a woman about 150 feet below the rim at Walhalla overlook. An unattended rental car, believed to be hers, was subsequently found in the overlook parking lot. Due to hazardous terrain and significant risk of rock fall, the body was recovered using a helicopter short-haul insertion and extraction operation. The body was flown to the South Rim helibase, then taken to the Coconino County medical examiner's office in Flagstaff for identification and determination of cause of death. [Submitted by Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
A river runner is receiving rabies treatment after being bitten or scratched by a rabid bat while at Lees Ferry on August 21st. The river runner was loading his boat with supplies when a young bat (Cave myotis) flew into his shirt, which was lying next to him. When the river runner put his shirt back on, the bat bit/scratched him on his left hip. The bat was captured, euthanized and submitted for testing. On August 22nd, the Arizona State Health Lab determined that the bat had rabies. Since the river runner had continued with his river trip, the National Park Service had to evacuate him from the canyon by helicopter. He then transported himself to Flagstaff for further treatment. Someone exposed to rabies undergoes post exposure prophylaxis or PEP. In the United States, PEP consists of a regimen of one dose of immune globulin and five doses of rabies vaccine over a 28-day period. Rabies immune globulin and the first dose of rabies vaccine should be given by a health care provider as soon as possible after exposure. Additional doses or rabies vaccine should be given 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after the first vaccination. Current vaccines are relatively painless and are given in a person's arm, like a flu or tetanus vaccine. [Pamela Walls, Public Affairs Officer]
Rangers and Arizona Department of Public Safety officers conducted a commercial vehicle inspection in the park between August 22nd and August 24th. This three-day operation focused on public safety through reduction of the potential for injuries and accidents. The operation included mechanical inspections of vehicles, safety equipment inspections, driver logbook inspections, verification of commercial drivers' licenses, medical cards, registrations and insurance, entrance fee compliance, and audits for compliance with commercial use authorizations - the permitting documents that the NPS uses to authorize private individuals and entities to provide commercial services to park visitors. A total of 130 commercial vehicles were inspected during the operation. Arizona DPS officers wrote 346 safety warning violation and nine citations, resulting in 17 vehicles being placed out of service for repair and an additional 17 drivers being placed out of service (mostly for exceeding hours of service). The NPS wrote 16 citations and 11 warnings and conducted 126 commercial use authorization checks. The operation was a great success, mainly due to the combined efforts of many different divisions within the park along with Arizona DPS. [Mike Archer, Deputy Chief Ranger]
A four-year-old girl fell about 450 feet from the canyon rim west of Mather Point just after 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The girl's father scrambled down the cliff to his daughter and began CPR on her, but she was pronounced dead shortly after rescue crews arrived on scene. The South Entrance Road along Mather Point was closed for a short time while a long-haul operation was conducted to remove the body from the canyon. The father was then extricated via a short-haul operation due to an ankle injury sustained while scrambling down to his daughter. The girl's body was flown to the South Rim helibase, then turned over to the Coconino County medical examiner. Rangers are conducting an investigation. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Eric York, a 37-year-old wildlife biologist at Grand Canyon, was found deceased in his residence on the South Rim on Friday morning. York was found unresponsive at his home at approximately 8:30 a.m. and pronounced dead by emergency personnel shortly thereafter. His body has been turned over to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office in Flagstaff. No further details are available at this time. The cause of death is under investigation by the NPS. [Pamela Walls, Public Affairs Officer]
On November 2nd, Eric York, a 37-year-old wildlife biologist at Grand Canyon, was found deceased in his residence on the South Rim. The cause of his death is still unknown. The preliminary finding in the autopsy performed by the Coconino County medical examiner showed fluid in his lungs and signs of pneumonia. Although rare, hantavirus and plague do occur in the Southwest. Due to the nature of York's profession and hobbies and his exposure to wildlife that can transmit these diseases, hantavirus and plague have not been ruled out by the preliminary autopsy results. Additional tests are being conducted, and results are expected later this week. Hantavirus is transmitted to humans through infected rodent droppings, urine and saliva, particularly in indoor, poorly ventilated areas. It is not transmitted from person-to-person. Symptoms of hantavirus include fever, headache, joint pain and difficulty breathing. Plague is transmitted primarily by rodent fleas and direct contact with infected animals. The pneumonic form can be transmitted from an infected person to a non-infected person via airborne cough droplets. Prophylactic antibiotics can prevent infection when given to people who have had close contact with an infected person. As a precautionary measure, and until these infectious agents can be ruled out, the National Park Service is working with the Grand Canyon Clinic to offer a seven-day course of prophylactic antibiotics to persons who had close contact (within six feet) with York while he was symptomatic. These people have been contacted and are in the process of receiving medication. People who had close contact with York while he was symptomatic have also been told to watch for symptoms consistent with plague and to seek medical attention as soon as possible if symptoms occur. These symptoms include high fever, chills, a cough and breathing difficulty. For more information about this incident, please call the Grand Canyon National Park Incident Information Center at 928-638-7922 or 928-638-7688. For additional information on hantavirus or plague and for tips on prevention, please visit the Centers for Disease Control web site at HYPERLINK "http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/index.htm". [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Park wildlife biologist Eric York was found deceased at his residence in Grand Canyon National Park on November 2nd. A celebration of his life will be held in the park next Thursday. Eric's work at Grand Canyon focused primarily on monitoring the ways in which mountain lions use the park and surrounding lands, including the ways in which the lions interact with humans and how human infrastructure affects them. In addition to his work at Grand Canyon, Eric made many significant contributions to wildlife research and conservation. He specialized in carnivore studies, particularly focusing on cat species, and was a leader in research capture methods and techniques. His research lead him to many areas around the world, including Maine, Alaska, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Southern California, Pakistan, Nepal and Chile, where he earned the respect of colleagues and worked tirelessly to conserve wildlife. Eric held a bachelors from the University of Maine-Orono and a masters degree in wildlife biology from the University of Massachusetts. He was an integral member of the National Park Service and Grand Canyon communities and will be missed dearly by friends and colleagues from around the world. A celebration of Eric's life will be held at Grand Canyon National Park on Thursday, November 15th. The ceremony will be held on the South Rim of Grand Canyon at Yaki Point beginning at 5:00 p.m. and including sunset. The park will provide transportation from the parking lot at park headquarters to Yaki Point beginning at 4:30 p.m. The ceremony will be casual and will be conducted on the rim regardless of weather. If you have questions about the ceremony, please contact Linda Jalbert at 928-638-7909. Eric's family will also hold a service in Shelburne, Massachusetts, at the Shelburne Congregational Church on Saturday, November 10th at 1:00 p.m. The family is requesting no formal attire and instead expect to see people dressed in Carhart's or something similar. Cards, letters and condolences may be sent to Eric's parents, T.Y. and L.Y. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Eric's name to one of three organizations: The Grand Canyon Association, attn: Brad Wallis, P.O Box 399, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023, HYPERLINK "http://www.grandcanyon.org" Felidae Conservation Fund, 14 Cove Road, Belvedere, CA 94920, HYPERLINK "http://www.felidaefund.org" The Wildlands Fund, Division of Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife, attn: Julie, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd. Westboro, MA. 01581 [Robin Martin]
On November 2nd, Eric York, a 37-year-old wildlife biologist at Grand Canyon National Park, was found deceased in his residence on the South Rim. Plague has been determined as the probable cause of his death, based on preliminary laboratory tests conducted by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Plague is a rare, but sometimes fatal, disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is primarily a disease of animals, but it can be transmitted to humans through the bites of rodent fleas or by direct contact with infected animals. Though the source of his infection is not certain, York most likely became infected with plague from work-related exposures to wildlife. York's symptoms were consistent with pneumonic plague, the most serious but least common form of plague. In rare cases, pneumonic plague can spread person to person through aerosolized respiratory droplets (e.g. coughing, sneezing). According to the CDC, transmission of plague from person to person has not been observed in the United States since 1924. Since pneumonic plague was initially suspected as a possible cause of York's death, the National Park Service worked with the Grand Canyon Clinic to offer a seven-day course of prophylactic antibiotics to persons who had close contact (within six feet) with York while he was symptomatic. These people have been contacted and are in the process of receiving medication. Close contacts of York have also been informed to watch for symptoms consistent with plague and to seek medical attention as soon as possible if symptoms develop. Symptoms of pneumonic plague include fever, headache, chest pain, cough, and bloody saliva. Early treatment with antibiotics is essential to surviving plague. Plague is considered endemic in northern Arizona at elevations above 4,500 feet. While an average of one or two human cases of plague are reported each year in Arizona, there were no human cases reported from 2001 through 2006 in the state. Increased plague activity in Arizona was reported in 2007 to public health officials: one human case, who survived, was reported in Apache County; prairie dog colony die-offs in two separate neighborhoods in Flagstaff (Coconino County) were confirmed to be from plague; and a domestic pet cat from north of Prescott (Yavapai County) was also documented as infected with plague. York had direct contact with both wild rodents and mountain lions, which put him at a higher risk for plague than other park staff and the general public. Persons living, working, or visiting areas where plague is known to be present can take the following precautions to reduce their risk of exposure: Do not handle sick or dead animals. Prevent pets from roaming loose. Control fleas on pets with flea collars or flea sprays routinely. Avoid exposure to rodent burrows and fleas and wild animals. Use insect repellant when visiting or working in areas where plague might be active or rodents might be present. Wear rubber gloves when cleaning or skinning wild animals. Domestic cats are susceptible to plague. Cat owners should take their ill cats to a veterinarian for evaluation. The NPS plans to collaborate with its public health partners to assess the risk for plague and other zoonotic diseases at Grand Canyon National Park. Public health officials from the NPS, the CDC, ADHS and the Coconino County Health Department have all been instrumental in this incident. For more information, please call the Grand Canyon National Park Incident Information Center at 928-638-7922 or 928-638-7688. For additional information on plague and for tips on prevention, please visit the Centers for Disease Control Web site at HYPERLINK "http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/index.htm". [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Tests conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed plague as the cause of 37-year-old wildlife biologist Eric York's death on November 2nd. These tests confirmed preliminary findings announced last week by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the CDC. The additional CDC tests also determined that the strain of plague that infected York was the same strain of plague that infected a mountain lion that he'd had direct and recent contact with. These tests support other evidence that the mountain lion was the source of York's infection. Plague is a rare, but sometimes fatal, disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is primarily a disease of animals, but it can be transmitted to humans through the bites of rodent fleas or by direct contact with infected animals. In rare cases, pneumonic plague can spread person to person through aerosolized respiratory droplets (e.g. coughing, sneezing). According to the CDC, transmission of plague from person to person has not been observed in the United States since 1924. The NPS is collaborating with its public health partners to assess the risk for plague and similar diseases at Grand Canyon National Park. Public health officials from the NPS, the CDC, ADHS and the Coconino County Health Department have all been instrumental in investigating this incident. For more information on plague and for tips on prevention, please visit the CDC web site at HYPERLINK "http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/index.htm" http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/index.htm. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Office]
On Saturday, February 16th, rangers recovered the body of 43-year-old M.S. of Ypsilanti, Michigan, from a spot about 300 feet below the rim at an undeveloped viewpoint near the Buggeln picnic area on the South Rim. Rangers first noted what appeared to be an unattended vehicle in the picnic area on Wednesday, February 13th. Investigations on Thursday determined that the car was a rental and produced no evidence of recent activity near the vehicle. On Friday afternoon, a ground search was begun. A chair, camera and other personal items believed to belong to the driver of the vehicle were located nearby. A technical search team then began looking for the operator. M.S.'s body was found in deep snow around 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon. He'd sustained significant traumatic injuries during the fall from the cliff edge. His body was recovered in a helicopter long-line operation. Following an autopsy and investigation, M.S.'s death was determined to have been a suicide. [Brandon Torres, Acting Shift Lead]
J.A., 27, and S.P., 29, both from California, were cited for failing to obtain a permit for public assemblies (36 CFR 2.51) as a result of a protest that took place on February 25th. Rangers were dispatched to a report of protesters at the Bright Angel Lodge, with one protestor described as being dressed like a rat. They'd already left the area when rangers arrived, and were reportedly following a chartered tour bus towards a hotel in Tusayan, just south of the park. When the rangers arrived at the hotel, they saw passengers getting out of the bus, J.A. talking into a megaphone, and S.P. videotaping and approaching the passengers. J.A. was shouting that the AlliedTPro tour company mistreated its employees and that the passengers should go home and not use the company. J.A. and S.P. claimed to be union members who'd worked for the AlliedTPro tour company and said that they were striking against the company. Both admitted to protesting in the park. They also produced a business card from a law enforcement ranger at Montezuma's Castle who had already told the two about the requirement for a permit to demonstrate and provided information on how to obtain one earlier that day. A follow-up investigation revealed that J.A. and S.P. had been following this bus tour since Los Angeles and had also been contacted by law enforcement officers in Blythe and Scottsdale, Arizona. [Chief Rangers Office]
Park dispatch received a call regarding an intoxicated man at the grocery store in South Rim Village on February 22nd. The store's manager reported that the man had fallen down inside the store and that he believed he was attempting to shoplift alcohol. Ranger Joe Florko was on scene within three minutes and confronted 45-year-old M.F. M.F.'s responses to Florko were incoherent and he failed to follow the ranger's instructions, turning away from Florko and declining to stop. M.F. then turned, faced Florko, and began to reach for an obvious bulge near his waistline. Florko fired his taser from about 10 feet away, incapacitating M.F., then held him down until backup arrived. M.F. was taken into custody without further incident. A search revealed that the bulge near his waistline was not a weapon but a beer can. An NCIC check revealed the there was a nationwide felony warrant out against him for a parole violation on a second degree murder charge. M.F. will be charged with being under the influence and interfering with an agency function. He'd been working at the park for two weeks when the incident occurred. Of note in this case was that the taser probes did not penetrate M.F.'s heavy Carhart jacket, but still worked, validating taser training. [Chief Ranger's Office]
Park rangers are searching for E.S., 29, who left his residence in the Grand Canyon around 2 a.m. last Friday morning and hasn't been seen since. He was upset when he left his home and evidently took off on foot. A search was begun that night and is continuing. E.S. is 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 180 pounds. He has short brownish blond hair, a goatee and a mustache. He was reportedly wearing either blue jeans or kaki pants and a button-down dress shirt when last seen. The park is asking that any information on E.S. be called in to its dispatch center (928-638-7805). [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
A call came into the park around 4 p.m. on March 17th reporting CPR in progress on a man who'd gone into the water in Hance Rapid when the raft he'd been on flipped over. He'd reportedly been in the water for several minutes before he was pulled out by other members of his group. Although CPR was begun immediately, efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Rangers were unable to reach the party that night due to weather and terrain, so the group continued down the river to Phantom Ranch and met rangers there. The man's body was flown out of the canyon and taken to the helibase on the South Rim, then transported to the county medical examiner in Flagstaff. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Rangers have begun to scale back their search for 29-year-old E.S., a resident of Grand Canyon. A search has been underway since late on the evening of Friday, March 14th, when E.S. was reported missing. The search, which included high probability areas throughout the Grand Canyon and the adjacent community of Tusayan, has not yielded any additional clues, and it's not known whether Eric is still in the area. Rangers will continue to focus their efforts on the investigation. Eric is 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 180 pounds. He has short brownish blond hair, a goatee and a mustache. He was last seen wearing either blue jeans or kaki pants and a button-down dress shirt. Flyers with information about E.S. have been distributed throughout the community and information has been entered into both the Arizona and national law enforcement networks. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Around noon on April 4th, a wildlife biologist from the Peregrine Fund who was working in the park noticed significant condor activity concentrated in one area. After hiking to a vantage point, the biologist was able to see a body about 300 feet beneath Trail View Overlook on West Rim Drive. Rangers rappelled down to the location, rigged the body, and flew it out via long-line to the South Rim helibase. The body was turned over the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office for identification. Forensic scientists from the Arizona Department of Public Safety subsequently identified the victim as E.S., a 29-year-old Grand Canyon resident who was reported missing on March 14th. Rangers had conducted a search for him for several days before terminating it due to lack of clues. An investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer, and Leah McGinnis, Management Assistant]
On Thursday, April 3rd, the ranger working at Phantom responded to calls for assistance from the Phantom Ranch staff, who were dealing with a drunken wrangler at the ranch canteen who was being both verbally and physically abusive. The ranger used her taser to subdue the man and take him into custody. Providing her with backup proved a challenge. Phantom is 5,000 feet below the canyon rim and accessible only by foot, mule or helicopter. Since it was almost dark, the park helicopter could not respond. Lack of moonlight also meant that a Department of Public Safety helicopter equipped with night vision goggles was also unable to fly. Two rangers therefore had to hike down the seven-and-a-half-mile long trail to support the ranger during the wrangler's overnight custody. While waiting the two hours for backup to arrive and still managing the belligerent wrangler, the ranger also had to take care of a 14-year-old girl who had suffered second and third degree burns at the Phantom campground. The burned girl and the wrangler were flown out on the first two park helicopter flights the next morning. [Submitted by John Evans, Park Ranger]
On Thursday, April 3rd, the ranger working at Phantom responded to calls for assistance from the Phantom Ranch staff, who were dealing with a drunken wrangler at the ranch canteen who was being both verbally and physically abusive. The ranger used her taser to subdue the man and take him into custody. Providing her with backup proved a challenge. Phantom is 5,000 feet below the canyon rim and accessible only by foot, mule or helicopter. Since it was almost dark, the park helicopter could not respond. Lack of moonlight also meant that a Department of Public Safety helicopter equipped with night vision goggles was also unable to fly. Two rangers therefore had to hike down the seven-and-a-half-mile long trail to support the ranger during the wrangler's overnight custody. While waiting the two hours for backup to arrive and still managing the belligerent wrangler, the ranger also had to take care of a 14-year-old girl who had suffered second and third degree burns at the Phantom campground. The burned girl and the wrangler were flown out on the first two park helicopter flights the next morning. [John Evans, Park Ranger]
Rangers saved the lives of two people in critical condition during three concurrent EMS responses on the night of Thursday, May 8th:
Outstanding teamwork among park dispatchers, rangers, helibase staff and off-duty rangers contributed to the successful outcome of these three cases. [Submitted by Brandon Torres, South Rim Shift Lead]
Rangers saved the lives of two people in critical condition during three concurrent EMS responses on the night of Thursday, May 8th: A.P., a 76-year-old visitor from Arizona, was sleeping in bed when he began gasping for air. His wife, who was lying next to him reading a book, found that he had no pulse and called for assistance. Dispatcher Sean Perchalski provided instructions on how to perform CPR while rangers Eric Keefer and Ben McKay headed to their location, arriving within two minutes. Four minutes later, a park ambulance arrived with ranger Jason Montoya and ranger/paramedic Brandon Torres. They employed advanced cardiac life support measures to convert him out of ventricular fibrillation and stabilize him. While they were awaiting an ambulance to transport A.P. to the hospital, dispatch was notified that D.L., a 55-year-old teacher at Grand Canyon High School, had accidentally shot himself in the leg with a .22 caliber handgun. D.L. had been showing the gun to friends while sitting in the back seat of a vehicle when the accident occurred. Arterial bleeding from the wound caused significant blood loss. Another ambulance responded with McKay, ranger Marty Huseman, and paramedic Robert Walters. They treated D.L. and immediately headed towards Flagstaff Medical Center, 78 miles away. Fortunately, an air ambulance became available and rendezvoused with them at the Valle airport, 28 miles south of the park. Alcohol was likely a factor in the accident. The investigation continues. During the response to the shooting, dispatch was notified of a 73-year-old man with emphysema who was having difficulty breathing. Ranger/paramedic Ken Phillips responded and provided initial treatment, stabilizing him. He was taken by ambulance o the Flagstaff Medical Center. Outstanding teamwork among park dispatchers, rangers, helibase staff and off-duty rangers contributed to the successful outcome of these three cases. [Brandon Torres, South Rim Shift Lead]
Park dispatch received several reports of an accident near Twin Overlooks on Desert View Drive on the South Rim around 3:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon. Witnesses stopped to offer assistance to the two men who were in the car, but both refused and left on foot, carrying large backpacks. Rangers responded and began an investigation. Around 7:15 p.m. that evening, a man called dispatch from a market within Grand Canyon Village and reported that the car he and his passenger had been driving in - a 2008 Dodge Caliber four-door hatchback - had been carjacked at gunpoint near Lipan Point on Desert View Drive. He said that two men had taken it and headed west toward the village. The men matched descriptions of the two who'd left the scene of the accident. The two men have been identified as T."T.-B."T., 36, and W.T., 38. T.T. is 5'8" tall, weighs about 200 pounds, has brown hair, blue eyes and facial hair, and has tattoos on his arms and legs. W.T. is 6'2" tall, weighs about 180 pounds, has shoulder-length blonde hair, blue eyes and facial hair, and also has tattoos on his arms and legs. The two men are considered armed and dangerous. Protection rangers and officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office are searching all areas within and adjacent to Grand Canyon Village. Patrols are also being increased in both the park and the Tusayan area. Anyone with information regarding the suspects or stolen vehicle should call Grand Canyon's emergency dispatch center at 928-638-7805. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
T."T.-B."T., 36, and W.T., 38, the two men who carjacked a vehicle in the park on Monday afternoon, died of self-inflicted wounds after a 136-mile pursuit yesterday afternoon. Several agencies, including the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, joined in the pursuit of their vehicle on Interstate 8 on Wednesday morning. The chase began when the men pulled up to a checkpoint near Wellton, just east of Yuma, said a supervisory Border Patrol agent. When they were asked to pull over for further inspection, they fled in the vehicle. The chase continued down Interstate 8 into Pinal County, where it stopped near Stanfield Road. Deputies and agents surrounded the vehicle, a white Dodge Caliber. Soon after, they heard two gunshots come from the car. They later found the two men dead of self-inflicted wounds. [News reports]
On Monday, May 12th, park law enforcement rangers conducted a criminal manhunt following a carjacking at gunpoint of a visitor vehicle from Twin Overlooks on Desert View Drive (Highway 64). The manhunt was associated with the investigation of a motor vehicle accident in the same location that had occurred three-and-a-half hours earlier. Rangers investigating the accident immediately determined that there'd been an attempt to drive it over the rim of the canyon. Initial efforts to find the occupants - identified as brothers T.T. and W.T., ages 36 and 38 respectively - were unavailing. The vehicle was towed from the scene and impounded. Investigation revealed that T.T., based at Quantico, Virginia, was known to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) associated with recent tours of duty in Iraq. The search for the two men was impeded by a significant delay in receipt of the initial report by park dispatch. Immediate efforts included checkpoints outside the park and near Flagstaff, conducted with the assistance of officers from the Coconino County Sheriff's Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Weather conditions deteriorated overnight, with four inches of heavy snowfall blanketing the South Rim. The search continued on Tuesday, but without results. It was accordingly suspended that afternoon. On Wednesday, the white Dodge Caliber that the T.'s had stolen was spotted at a Border Patrol checkpoint at Welton, Arizona, located 29 miles east of Yuma. A pursuit ensued which continued eastbound on Interstate 8 past Gila Bend. The 130-mile pursuit involved officers from the Border Patrol, Maricopa County Sheriff's Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety and Pinal County Sheriff's Office. Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation officers spiked the Caliber's tires, but the car continued for another mile before going off the roadway. Pinal County deputies and Border Patrol officers converging on the car heard two shots and accordingly withdrew. Maricopa County and U.S. Customs helicopters hovered over the area for about 20 minutes, watching the vehicle. Bomb squad robots were called in and were used to determine that both T.'s were dead. According to a Pinal County spokesman, one man evidently shot the other, then killed himself. [Ken Phillips, Incident Commander]
On Sunday, May 25th, park dispatch received a report of two overdue travelers, identified as A.H. and I.H. of Salt Lake City. They'd been expected in Prescott the day before, following a week at the Grand Canyon, but had never arrived. At the time of the report, an attempt to locate (ATL) message had already been issued by the Salt Lake City police. Rangers checked hotel and campground registrations, but found no record of the couple, so an ATL was issued within the park and Arizona DPS was notified, resulting in a statewide ATL. Efforts to find the couple continued with searches of the backcountry permits issued in the park and of registration records at North Rim lodges and campgrounds. No record of the couple's visit could be found. Late in the afternoon on Monday, May 26th, rangers made contact with a friend of the couple who was familiar with their itinerary. Through this contact, they learned that the couple, experienced backpackers, had planned to backpack the Royal Arch route - a difficult, 45-mile loop in the far western portion of the park. At the same time, rangers learned that I.H. had maintained her maiden name, I.F., and might have obtained a permit under that name. Searchers immediately rechecked backcountry permits for this second name and found a permit issued for May 17th to May 23rd in the name of I.F. for two people to travel the Royal Arch route. With knowledge of the couple's itinerary, rangers were able to locate the couple's vehicle at the South Bass trailhead that evening. Early on Tuesday morning, search and rescue rangers flew the southern portion of the Royal Arch route, focusing on the rim and on areas known to be more technically challenging. During this initial hasty search, the couple was not found, but hikers along the trail were contacted and interviewed to determine if anyone had seen or made contact with the pair. After refueling, search and rescue rangers flew the remainder of the Royal Arch route, as well as other high probability areas, without locating the couple. The operation resumed on Wednesday. Around 5 p.m., a search team found the couple along the Royal Arch route. They were tired but otherwise in good condition. A helicopter flew them to the South Rim helibase, where they declined any medical treatment and were reunited with family members. A follow-up interview will be conducted by rangers today. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Following the happy conclusion of last week's search for A.H. and his spouse, I.F., rangers were able to learn what happened to them during their hike on the Royal Arch route. The couple was reported overdue from their backpacking trip on Sunday, May 25th, and a search began for them the next day. By May 28th, five days after they were expected to complete their trip, a number of ground crews were searching high-probability areas on foot, helicopter flight crews were searching drainages and rim areas increasingly distant from the couple's anticipated route, and a technical team from Zion National Park was searching the lower Royal Arch Drainage using canyoneering techniques. Around 5 p.m. that day, a ground search team found the couple - tired, hungry, but otherwise in good condition - near the South Bass trail in the Royal Arch route area. Personnel working on the incident, and the couple themselves, attribute the fortunate outcome to being prepared and making good decisions. A.H. and I.F. had backpacked at the Grand Canyon before and were familiar with the rugged nature of the terrain and the changeable weather conditions (conditions during their 11 days in the canyon ranged from "temperatures in the 90s to hail and freezing," according to I.F.). While they had never hiked the Royal Arch route, they had done research on the route and had sought the advice of others who had previously hiked it. They set specific dates when they would be meeting people after their hike, and they made sure that at least one person knew what they planned to do while they were at the Grand Canyon. In spite of all of their preparations, on the last leg of their trip, they overshot their exit route and attempted to reach the rim via the wrong side canyon. Eventually, they realized they were lost - and to a degree stuck - but they didn't panic. Instead, they assessed their situation, developed a plan, and made a commitment to stick with that plan no matter what. They first decided to be prepared for up to a week on their own and rationed their one day of remaining food accordingly. Then they found water and a source of shade and decided to stay put until help arrived or their meager supplies started to run out. Above all they made a decision to stick together. These decisions, it is believed, are a big part of why they here today. They shared the burden of decision making, they kept track of each other's condition (physically, mentally and emotionally), they kept each other on track, and they stuck to the plan. Finally, as their rations began to run out, forcing a last ditch attempt to seek aid at the river, searchers and this resourceful pair of lost backpackers found each other. [Shannan Marcak and Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officers]
Firefighter Michael MacDonald was tragically killed in a private medical helicopter collision while being transported from the Grand Canyon to a northern Arizona hospital for a medical condition not directly related to firefighting on Sunday, June 29th. Six people, including MacDonald, were killed in the collision of two medical helicopters near Flagstaff Medical Center. "Our condolences go out to the families and co-workers of those that were lost yesterday in this tragic incident," stated Steve Martin, the park's superintendent. "The fire community lost a young firefighter, the Flagstaff Medical Center, Guardian Air and Classic Lifeguard lost coworkers and friends, and the Blackfeet Nation, Flagstaff and Grand Canyon communities all suffered a great loss. We offer our deepest condolences to all who lost family, friends and co-workers yesterday. On behalf of community members, co-workers, family and friends, our thanks go out to all rescue and medical personnel who responded to the incident yesterday. We appreciate their heroic efforts to save the lives of others at the risk of their own." MacDonald, 26, was a member of the Chief Mountain Hot Shots, an elite Bureau of Indian Affairs-funded Native American firefighting crew based on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana. The crew was assigned to the Walla Valley Fire on the North Rim. The Chief Mountain Hot Shot crew will be released from the incident today to travel home. [Shannon Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 22nd, park dispatch received a report from an NPS river trip advising that a Canyoneers, Inc. motorized raft was stranded on the rock garden at Crystal Rapid, located just past river mile 98 and about 11 miles downriver from Phantom Ranch. Due to the late hour, rescue operations could not be begun immediately be initiated, but were instead arranged for the following morning. On Wednesday, park personnel and equipment were flown via helicopter to a landing zone near the rapid. After preparations were made, the 13 passengers and two guides were transported from their raft to shore using the park's inflatable rescue boat, which is kept response-ready at the south rim of the canyon. Once all passengers were safely ashore, work began to free the 37-foot raft. By early afternoon, the raft was freed. It was then brought to shore to be reunited with its passengers and crew. No injuries to passengers or crew were reported; and the group has continued its trip down the Colorado River. [Shannon Marcak, PAO]
On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 29th, park dispatch received a report via satellite phone from rafters on a private river trip advising that one of their boats, an 18-foot cataraft, was stranded on the rock garden at Crystal Rapid, located just past river mile 98 and about 11 miles downriver from Phantom Ranch. This is the same location where a 36-foot commercial raft became stuck a week ago. Due to the late hour, rescue operations could not be begin immediately, but were instead arranged for the following morning. On Wednesday, park personnel and equipment were flown via helicopter to a landing zone near the rapid. After preparations were made, the raft was rigged for removal using rock anchors and ropes. These were placed in the middle of the river via the park's inflatable rescue boat, which is kept response-ready at the south rim of the canyon. Due to high water and the complete submersion of the raft, rescue crews spent the night on the beach and launched again at 5 a.m. to take advantage of lower water. The raft was freed at about 8:30 a.m. and the rafters resumed their trip downriver to reunite with the rest of their group. No injuries were reported. During the entire incident, the operations chief position was filled by Dean Ross, branch chief for emergency services in the Washington Office. [Ken Phillips, Branch Chief Emergency Services]
The park received a 911 call from a visitor near Yaki Point just after noon on Friday, August 8th, reporting that a young man had fallen from the canyon rim. Witnesses told search and rescue rangers that the man - identified as M.Z., 19, a Canadian citizen - had been standing on an outcropping when he lost his footing and fell. Rangers found his body shortly thereafter about 250 feet below the rim. M.Z. was with a friend when the accident occurred; the friend and two other visitors witnessed the accident. An investigation is being conducted. This is the first accidental fall resulting in a fatality that has occurred in the park this year. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Specialist]
Officers and rescuers from eight public safety agencies worked together yesterday to evacuate more than 400 campers and residents from Supai Canyon, which is located approximately 75 air miles west of the Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The evacuation is a direct result of significant flooding following heavy rainfall throughout the area (according to Arizona emergency management officials, early reports that the flooding was caused or aggravated by the breach of an earthen dam appear to be unfounded). Late on Saturday afternoon and through the evening, the Northern Arizona high country received heavy rainfall that resulted in partial flooding of Supai Canyon, a popular destination for hikers and campers due to the presence of majestic waterfalls in the area. Supai Village is also the home of approximately 400 year-round residents. At 6 a.m. on Sunday morning, Coconino County officials received a report that a high volume of water had rushed down Cataract Canyon in a westerly direction, eventually feeding into Supai Canyon. Heavy flooding in Supai Canyon and the potential for additional flooding necessitated the evacuation of an undetermined number of campers and all residents. Rescuers worked to locate visitors who were staying at the Supai campground, which is above Havasu Falls, and escort them to a safe landing zone in Supai Village. Campers and residents were flown to Hilltop by Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopters and Arizona National Guard Black Hawk helicopters, then bussed to an American Red Cross shelter located at the Hualapai tribal gymnasium in Peach Springs. The road into Havasupai is closed at Route 66 and Indian Road 18 leading into Hualapai Hilltop. Residents and campers will not be able to access Supai Village and the Havasupai Indian Reservation at this time. Meanwhile, park dispatch received a report on Saturday from Western Rivers Adventures that five unmanned rafts were observed floating down the Colorado River with lifejackets and other supplies still onboard. Park employees determined that the rafts belonged to a private party of 16 people; they were subsequently found uninjured but stranded on a ledge at the confluence of Havasu Creek and the Colorado River. At last report, efforts were underway to move them to an area where rescuers could reach them. Plans were to short haul them to the other side of the Colorado Rover, where they were to be airlifted by helicopter to Hilltop, then taken to the American Red Cross shelter in Peach Springs. National Park Service employees were also in the process of contacting members of rafting parties who had not yet reached the confluence, which is located at about river mile 157, in an effort to inform them of the flooding that has occurred in that area. Rescue operations were suspended due to darkness, but will resume at first light this morning. The Coconino County Sheriff's Office advises that ten or eleven people may be unaccounted for; most of them are believed to have been at the campgrounds below Supai Village. This information is based on interviews with evacuees, camper registrations and calls from concerned friends and families. Air patrols will be conducted today along the Colorado River between Havasu Creek and Lava Rapids for people who may still be stranded. Ground searches will be conducted if conditions allow. Public safety agencies that responding to this emergency include Grand Canyon National Park, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, Coconino County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Coconino County Emergency Services, the Arizona National Guard and American Red Cross. [Maureen Oltrogge and Shannon Marcak, Public Affairs Officers, Grand Canyon, plus information from the DOI Watch Office]
The evacuation of people from Supai Canyon following this weekend's serious floods continued yesterday. Another 85 people were airlifted from Supai Village to the Hualapai Hilltop area on Monday morning, while other drove to the American Red Cross evacuation center located at the tribal gymnasium in Peach Springs. Seven helicopters from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the National Park Service and the Arizona National Guard were employed in the operation. Anyone who hiked out of Supai Canyon after this event who has not spoken with law enforcement officials is asked to call the Coconino County Sheriff's Office at 928-774-4523. Rescuers are continuing their efforts to determine if anyone is still missing and are conducting extensive air and ground searches in efforts to locate everyone. Supai remains closed to all campers and tourists. It's believed that a number of weather-related events contributed to the flash floods in the canyon. According to the National Weather Service, the Coconino Plateau experienced significant rainfall on Friday afternoon, Saturday afternoon, and again on Sunday afternoon. It appears that the flooding in Supai late Saturday night and early Sunday was the result of heavy rainfall on Saturday afternoon. Water levels in the canyon remained high through Monday morning due to additional rainfall that fell on Sunday. Total rainfall for the period of Friday through Sunday was relatively light in the Supai area, but as high as six inches 20 to 40 miles upstream. A drying trend is expected through the week with only isolated showers expected. Anyone concerned about friends or family members who may have been evacuated as a result of this event may contact the American Red Cross at HYPERLINK "http://www.redcross.org" and click on "Registers" and "Safe and Well." [Coconino County Sheriff's Office]
Park dispatch received a report early last Sunday afternoon that a woman had fallen over the edge of the canyon and was injured. The woman had reportedly approached the edge of the canyon to take a picture and lost her footing when she turned to return to the trail. Rescue personnel found her about 30 feet below the rim and 300 yards west of Mather Point. An emergency responder immediately rappelled over the edge to assess and treat her injuries. The woman was found to have suffered an unstable lower left leg fracture. She was lifted to the canyon rim, then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
The eleven individuals previously reported missing in the Supai Canyon flood area have been located and all are safe. As a precaution, Coconino County Sheriff's Office officials are currently crosschecking information with those who were evacuated and those who left the area through the exit checkpoint over the past few days. As of yesterday, approximately 426 people had been evacuated by helicopter from the canyon. No fatalities or serious injuries resulting from this incident have been reported to the sheriff's office. Some residents of the Supai Village chose not to be evacuated and remained in the canyon. On Monday, a flyover was conducted and officials found no one in need of assistance. Water levels in the area are still too high to conduct an extensive ground search, but search and rescue personnel from several agencies plan to do a more extensive search when the water levels subside. The Red Cross reception center housed eight residents of Supai Canyon on Monday evening. Another sixteen elders are staying at a local lodge and the Red Cross is providing meals for them. All of the evacuated tourists have left the area. Supai Canyon residents should be able to return to their homes today. All lifeline systems are currently operating in the canyon, including water, power and telephone services. The Hualapai Tribe has received three truckloads of donated supplies from St. Mary's Food Bank and the National Relief Charities. Items include meal kits, blankets, water, Gatorade and hygiene products. [Coconino County Sheriff's Office]
Late on the afternoon on Saturday, August 16th, Havasu Canyon, a popular side canyon of the Grand Canyon, flash flooded as a result of heavy, localized, monsoon rains. That evening, park dispatch received word that five unmanned rafts had been seen floating down the Colorado River with supplies and lifejackets aboard. Initial investigation by park staff revealed that these rafts belonged to a single, private boating party of 16 people whose itinerary would have put then in the vicinity of Havasu Canyon at the time of the flood. Around 11 a.m. on Sunday morning, a park helicopter found the party stranded on a ledge at the confluence of Havasu Creek and the Colorado River. There were short-hauled, one at a time, from the ledge to the shore of the Colorado River, where they could be picked up by helicopter and flown to Hualapai Hilltop. From there, the group was transported by bus to a Red Cross shelter in Peach Springs. To ensure the safety of park visitors, river rangers also contacted groups who were still upriver from the confluence of Havasu Creek and the Colorado River to inform them of the conditions at the confluence, and aerial checks of the river corridor were also conducted. Commercial river operators carry satellite phones which worked well throughout this event. No other reports of difficulties due to these flood conditions were received by the park. No park roads or facilities were damaged, the park remains open and fully operational. For more information on the effects of this flood in Grand Canyon National Park, contact the Public Affairs Office at 928-638-7958. For information on continuing efforts to aid those affected by the flood within Havasu Canyon and Supai Village, contact the Incident Information Center at 928-679-4161. If you are checking on family members with permits to float the river or backpack in the backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park, please contact Grand Canyon's river information line at 928-638-7884. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
Shortly before sunset on August 28th, park dispatch received a satellite phone call from a commercial river trip reporting that a 62-year-old man who was part of the group had taken a 70-foot fall while hiking in Stone Creek Canyon, a side canyon of the Colorado River that is a popular day hiking destination for river travelers. He was reported to have sustained skull and leg fractures. ICS was put into effect and a rescue operation begun. The park's helicopter was in the area, returning from an interagency search mission in Havasu Creek, and was diverted to the scene. Due to limited daylight, the helicopter crew was only able to insert a Coconino County Search and Rescue team member who also works as a flight medic for a local air ambulance. Meanwhile, Arizona Department of Public Safety's Air Rescue helicopter from Kingman was launched to make a night landing to provide additional medical and evacuation personnel. The DPS crew, which flies with night vision goggles, landed at Stone Creek but was unable to reach the victim due to darkness and hazardous terrain. They were notified that the flight medic on scene had reached the man and determined that the fall had been fatal. On the morning of August 29th, recovery operations were begun. A human radio relay was positioned on a canyon rim near the incident location and park staff were inserted by helicopter for recovery, investigation, and helicopter operations. A critical incident stress counselor from the Whale Foundation, which provides access to mental and physical healthcare and support services to the professional river guide community, was also inserted to remain with the river trip. The victim was extracted from the canyon in a helicopter long line operation and flown to the South Rim helibase for transfer to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. [Pete Fonken, Park Ranger]
The park received a 911 call late on October 6th reporting that a man had fallen from the edge of the canyon at the first overlook on Desert View Drive. Responding rangers spotted the man 250 feet below the canyon rim, as did a spotter in the park helicopter, and rescue personnel quickly hiked down to his location and confirmed that he'd died in the fall. The body was lifted out of the canyon and transferred to the county medical examiner's office in Flagstaff. An investigation is underway. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
On October 22nd, park dispatch was notified of an abandoned duffle bag that had been turned in at the Yavapai Observation Station. Responding rangers were shown where the duffle bag was found. During the subsequent search of the area, they spotted what appeared to be a body about 300 feet below the rim. An observer in the park helicopter confirmed their observation. Park staff hiked down to the Tonto Plateau and crossed over to the body's location below and just east of Yavapai Point. When they arrived there, they found the body of a man subsequently identified as R.J., 58, of Chicago, Illinois. An investigation into his death is underway. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
On Sunday, October 19th, N.K., a 59-year-old backpacker, was seriously injured in a fall while hiking with two companions near Tapeats Cave in a remote area below the North Rim. N.K. fell 30 feet down a 40-degree slope, then off a 20-foot drop into a dry stream bed with large boulders. N.K.'s son-in-law, a Grand Junction (Colorado) firefighter, ran ten miles to the Colorado River in two hours to summon assistance. There he contacted members of a river trip with a satellite phone. Park rescue personnel responded by NPS helicopter just before sunset. Due to the late hour and remoteness of the site, it wasn't possible to land, so ranger/paramedic Brandon Torres was dropped off at a nearby point and hiked to N.K.'s location. Torres treated him throughout the night. N.K.'s daughter, A.K., later told a Grand Junction Sentinel reporter that "the paramedic's calm demeanor and positive attitude put both Dad and I more at ease." She had nothing but praise for the National Park Service. "After Dad was a little more comfortable, I sat down a little ways away and sobbed uncontrollably. It felt good to be able to let all that emotion out, especially since I knew my dad was in good hands." On Monday morning, park personnel conducted a helicopter short-haul evacuation from below Tapeats Cave. N.K. was flown three miles, along with Torres, to the Surprise Valley area, where a Classic Lifeguard aeromedical helicopter was staged. Classic Lifeguard then transported N.K. to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he received treatment for a broken pelvis, arm and femur, a head injury, and multiple abrasions and contusions. Della Yurcik served as incident commander. [Ken Phillips, Chief of Emergency Services]
Early yesterday morning, rangers responded to a 911 call and discovered the bodies of a man and a woman in a mobile home located in a residential trailer park within Grand Canyon. The incident is being investigated as a murder/suicide; there is no indication of any third party involvement. The investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service with support from an FBI evidence response team. The victim's identities are being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next-of-kin. Media calls concerning this incident should be directed to the Grand Canyon Public Affairs Office at 928-638-7779. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
The two bodies discovered in a residential trailer park within the park last Thursday morning have been identified as L."M.".G., 82, and S.G., 73, both from Grand Canyon, Arizona. Rangers responded to a 911 call early that morning and found the two bodies inside the couple's mobile home. Initial investigations indicate that the two likely died as a result of a murder-suicide. An investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service with support from an FBI evidence response team. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Last month, rangers successfully intervened in three separate suicide attempts made by two park residents. The first instance occurred early on the morning of January 16th. Ranger Jason Montoya was patrolling on West Rim Drive when a vehicle approached from the opposite direction at a high rate of speed and partially in the opposing lane. Montoya pursued, found the vehicle already stopped in the road when he caught up, and made a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle, identified as a local Grand Canyon resident, was noticeably intoxicated. When asked where he was going, he said that he was "driving to the Abyss to jump off." The Abyss is a popular viewpoint on the South Rim with a 3,000 foot vertical drop. He was arrested without incident for driving under the influence. An interview with the man's roommate revealed that he'd been depressed recently and that he'd been drinking heavily. When the roommate returned home, he found that the man was missing and that he'd left several personal items for him, so assumed that he'd committed suicide by jumping from the rim. A week later, on January 22nd, rangers were dispatched to Colter Hall, a concession dorm within the park, to deal with an intoxicated woman, but found that she'd been put to bed in her room. As they were leaving the dorm, she ran out of her room, down the stairs, and toward the rim, saying that she was going to jump. The rangers caught her before she could do so. She was detained under Title 36 (the Baker Act) and transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for evaluation. On the evening of January 24th, rangers were again dispatched to Colter Hall to deal with a drunk and suicidal woman. When they arrived, they found it was the same woman. She was in the process of writing a suicide note when rangers entered her room. After a struggle, she was again detained and transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for further evaluation. [Chief Rangers Office]
On the morning of Monday, March 16th, dispatch received a report that a man had been found dead in a residence within the park. Rangers found the man's body lying in a bed in the residence, located in an area of the park known as Trailer Village. The death is considered a probable suicide. The body has been taken to the county medical examiner's office. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
On April 8th, a self-described "permit outlaw" was sentenced to three years of probation for threatening a park ranger. G.C.P., 53, most recently residing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, pled guilty in federal court to a charge of "threatening, intimidating or intentionally interfering" with a ranger. During his three years' probation, he is banned from all national parks, including a ten-mile radius around Grand Canyon NP, and is also banned from the campus of Northern Arizona University. The charge against G.C.P. stemmed from a threatening email that he sent last January to a park backcountry ranger who'd cited him in 2003 for camping without a permit in the park. The investigation in this case was conducted by special agent Chris Smith and ranger Kean Mihata, who is on detail to the Investigative Services Branch. G.C.P. was charged by criminal complaint in February and arrested in Zion NP in March. He had been in federal custody since his arrest, awaiting the outcome of the April 8th hearing. In addition to probation and the other conditions, G.C.P. is banned from contacting the ranger and is obligated to undergo a mental health evaluation that will be followed by any necessary counseling. He must remain in Arizona and is able to leave only upon receiving permission from the court. G.C.P. has lived and worked near national parks for 30 years, including Yosemite, Zion, Grand Tetons and the Grand Canyon. He has convictions from these and other areas for various misdemeanors, including indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and camping without a permit. In the past, G.C.P. posted messages on a Grand Canyon hiking newsgroup in which he described himself as a "permit outlaw." [Robert W. Mullikin, Special Agent in Charge]
A 47-year-old Ohio man was rescued after falling 60 feet while hiking in the Grand Canyon on Tuesday. The man fell shortly after starting a multi-day hike that would have taken him to Cottonwood Creek, a backcountry camping area below the South Rim. The accident occurred on the Grandview Trail just east of South Rim Village. The man and his hiking companions were several hundred feet down the trail when he stopped to peer over the edge and lost his balance. A visitor at the Grandview trailhead heard calls for help and called park dispatch. Rangers responded and found the man lying injured on the trail. Because of the steep terrain and difficult switchbacks - and for the safety of the patient - rangers called for the park helicopter and extricated the man using a short-haul operation. Once at the parking lot the man was stabilized and transported by ambulance to the South Rim helibase. From there he was flown by Classic Life Guard to the Flagstaff Medical Center to be treated for life-threatening injuries. Approximately 20 people from the National Park Service were involved in the rescue. Personnel from the park's emergency services, interpretation, wildland fire and aviation and law enforcement divisions responded along with park volunteers. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Yesterday morning, park dispatch received a 911 call from Phantom Ranch and another call from an emergency phone located at the boat beach near the ranch, both reporting three people in the water. Witnesses said that they saw three people jump into the river near the beach and that they were last seen being swept downriver. Rangers began an aerial search of the river and positioned personnel along the river at two locations below the beach. Another ranger joined family members who were with the three people who entered the river. At the time of the report, additional personnel were responding. The park was also being assisted by a boat crew from Diamond River Adventures, a commercial concessioner. Water temperatures in the Colorado River in this area range from approximately 49 to 52 degrees. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
On Friday afternoon, rangers recovered the body of 16-year-old M.M., who'd been missing since Thursday morning when he and two companions disappeared after jumping into the Colorado River. The body was found about a mile below Boat Beach, where the three were last seen. The search continues for 22-year-old J.M. and 16-year-old S.S.. A section of the river from Boat Beach to Hermit Rapid, a distance of about ten river miles, has been searched by boat, from the air and on foot, but no sign of them has yet been found. A search dog and its handler have also worked both banks of the river below Boat Beach, and rangers have prepared and distributed a missing person's flyer to boaters and hikers along the river. The park is being supported by Arizona DPS, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, Xanterra South Rim LLC, Delaware North Park Services (Canyon Village Market Place), and visitors and volunteers who have provided assistance with the search effort and support to the families of these young men. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Last Thursday, rangers began a search for three young men who disappeared while attempting to swim across the Colorado River near Boat Beach. As was noted in yesterday's edition, the body of 16-year-old M.M. was recovered from the Colorado River on Friday, May 1st, but the bodies of 22-year-old J.M. and 16-year-old S.S. had not yet been located. Despite an intensive two-day search by helicopter, boat and foot, with the added assistance of a search dog team, rangers have found no signs of them. They accordingly began scaling back the search on Saturday. That decision was based on the totality of all circumstances, including water temperature, the swift current, the fact that neither was wearing a life jacket, and the fact that all three were likely fatigued from their long hike to the river. Rangers will carry on with limited continuous efforts until the young men have been located and recovered. Those efforts include ranger patrols on the river and on nearby trails, conducted with the assistance of the many commercial and private boaters currently on the river, and continued distribution of a missing person's flyer to boaters and hikers along the river. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
On Tuesday morning, rangers responded to a mule accident on the Bright Angel Trail that involved at 66-year-old woman from California. Park dispatch received a radio call from a mule wrangler reporting that a mule had lost it's footing, fallen, then rolled over the woman. The accident occurred about two-and-a-half miles below the rim. The mule and its passenger were part of two concessioner mule strings who were en route to Phantom Ranch for an overnight stay. Two park paramedics were flown to the accident scene and stabilized the woman before extricating her using a short-haul operation. She was flown to the helibase on the South Rim, then to Flagstaff Medical Center. About a dozen people from the park were involved in the rescue operation. They were assisted by Xanterra mule wranglers and visitors on the trail. During helicopter operations, the Bright Angel Trail was closed for approximately an hour. An investigation into the cause of the accident will be completed by the National Park Service. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
The bodies of two young men - likely those of 16-year-old S.S. and 22-year-old J.M., who disappeared while trying to swim across the Colorado on April 30th - were found in the river last Thursday. The first was found between Crystal Rapid and Camp Beach and secured by a private boating party; the second was recovered at Agate Rapid by Hatch River Expeditions, a commercial river operator. Both groups notified park dispatch via satellite phone. Rangers flew to their respective locations to retrieve the bodies. Following field investigations, they were taken to the medical examiner's office in Flagstaff. S.S., J.M. and 16-year-old M.M. were with a group that was on a day hike from the South Rim to Phanton Ranch on April 30th when they decided to swim the cold and fast-moving waters of the Colorado. M.M.'s body was found on May 1st. The National Park Service appreciates the efforts of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Coconino County Sheriff's Office, the commercial and private boating community, Grand Canyon hikers, and volunteers who provided assistance with search efforts. They would also like to thank Xanterra South Rim, LLC, Delaware North Park Services (Canyon Village Market Place), and local clergy for their support to the families of these three young men. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
On Tuesday, May 26th, the park was notified that 69-year-old R.W. of Surprise, Arizona, had not returned from a Memorial Day weekend trip and that his holiday plans had included hiking in Grand Canyon. On Wednesday, R.W.'s car was found in the park, indicating that he might still be in the Grand Canyon backcountry. With no backcountry permit or known itinerary to work from, rangers began searching a broad area from Hermit Basin, located west of Grand Canyon Village, to the South Kaibab area east of the village. The trails throughout this area could easily be accessed on foot or via shuttle from the point where R.W.'s car was found. On Friday, rangers were able to narrow their search to the Hermit Basin area based on information received after issuing a public request for assistance from anyone who had hiked in the park's backcountry during the Memorial Day weekend. An extensive search by helicopter observers, ground searchers, and a dog team has so far yielded no additional clues as to R.W.'s whereabouts. A decision was therefore made on Saturday to begin scaling back search operations. This decision was based on the totality of circumstances, including the rugged and steep terrain, the length of time that R.W. has been missing (he was last seen on Saturday, May 23rd), and the number of hikers and searchers who have passed through the area without finding any indications as to R.W.'s whereabouts. Rangers will continue to use dogs and search on foot on a limited basis to examine cliff areas where a fall might have occurred. The park appreciates the assistance provided by local and national media in reaching out to the public for information about R.W.'s activities in the park. L.C., R.W.'s daughter and the family's spokesperson, had this to say: "My family and I want to thank those people who saw the initial news release about the search for my father and took the time to call in and share some very helpful information." [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
A body, presumptively identified as that of 69-year-old R.W., was found yesterday by park search and rescue personnel in the Hermit Basin area of the park. On Tuesday, May 26th, rangers received a report that R.W. was overdue from a Memorial Day weekend trip that included hiking in Grand Canyon. On Wednesday, after finding R.W.'s vehicle on the South Rim, rangers began searching a broad area - from Hermit Basin to the South Kaibab area - that could easily be accessed on foot or via shuttle from the point where R.W.'s vehicle was found. On Friday, rangers were able to narrow their search to the Hermit Basin area based on information received after issuing a public request for assistance to anyone who had hiked in the park's backcountry during the Memorial Day weekend. On Monday, search personnel were once again in the Hermit Basin, using a spotting scope to check difficult to access scree slopes and cliff areas. Based on information received from the spotters, search crews yesterday investigated an area a quarter mile south of Santa Maria springs and found R.W.'s body about 200 feet below the Hermit Trail. His remains were transported by helicopter to the South Rim helibase, where they were transferred to the Coconino County medical examiner. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Yesterday afternoon, rangers rescued a 38-year-old woman who fell from the rim near Mather Point, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. Park dispatch received two separate 911 calls from visitors reporting the fall around 4 p.m. Responding rangers found the woman about 50 feet below the rim a quarter mile west of Mather Point and rappelled down to her. She was then put into a litter and brought to the rim using a rope haul system. She was then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. [Shannan Marcak, Public Information Specialist]
Park dispatch received a 911 call around 8 a.m. yesterday morning reporting a broken propane line adjacent to the park visitor center. The break occurred when a backhoe being operated by a construction worker hit the line. The project supervisor immediately called 911 to report the incident, then started an evacuation of the visitor center and adjacent area. Park emergency responders arrived on scene and were able to shut down the propane line within ten minutes of the report. Emergency responders continued the evacuation of the visitor center and surrounding area and began rerouting vehicle and bus traffic around the VC and down Center Road. Both the visitor center and road were reopened within a half hour. David Van Inwagen, the park IC, commended the project supervisor for his actions immediately following the incident: "His prompt actions to call 911 and then initiate an evacuation of the area brought a quick response by emergency crews and likely prevented any further incident." A local propane vendor has been called in to repair the line. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
On May 28th, special agents with the NPS Investigative Services Branch and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with protection rangers, served a federal search warrant on a residence located within the park. The warrant was issued following receipt of information by law enforcement indicating that resident G.H. had paid to download child pornography to his computer. The search warrant resulted in the discovery of downloaded movies depicting prepubescent boys and girls engaged in sexual activity. G.H. was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of possessing child pornography obtained from interstate or international commerce. [Robert W. Mullikin, Special Agent in Charge]
A 60-year-old Boulder, Colorado, man was rescued on Sunday morning after he slipped and fell while climbing in a drainage off the South Rim's popular Bright Angel Trail approximately two miles below the rim. A member of his hiking party called 911 and reported the incident to dispatchers. The caller said that the man had fallen only a short distance, but that he had landed on his head and appeared to be disoriented. Park rangers responded and immediately began treating the man for his injuries. Because of the location and the type of injuries, rangers called for the park helicopter and short-hauled the man to a nearby helispot. They then loaded him into the helicopter, flew him to the South Rim helibase, and transferred him to a Guardian air ambulance for the flight to Flagstaff Medical Center. He is being treated there for his injuries. About 18 park staff were involved in the operation. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
A resident of Grand Canyon National Park was rescued via short-haul yesterday morning after suffering a fall during a recreational climb of Newton Butte. On Monday evening, rangers received notification that a man had been injured in a fall at the butte, which is located about a mile and a half north of Shoshone Point. Due to quickly diminishing light conditions and the treacherous nature of the route to his location, a decision was made to send in a ranger/paramedic to stabilize the man and make him as comfortable as possible until a full-scale rescue could be launched in the morning. Upon arriving at the scene, the ranger/paramedic found that the 33-year-old man had fallen approximately 50 feet and sustained non-life-threatening injuries to both legs. On Tuesday morning, supplies were flown in by the park's helicopter so that the ranger/paramedic could prepare the man for transport. The patient and ranger were then short-hauled to the canyon rim. From there, the injured man was transported via park ambulance to meet a Guardian Medical Transport ambulance for final transport to Flagstaff Medical Center. The park has commended the man's climbing partner, who made his friend as comfortable as possible, supplying him with as much gear as he could spare before hiking out to get assistance. He then led the ranger/paramedic back to the man's location in the dark along a treacherous route. Park helitack and trail crew members as well as park ranger staff participated in this rescue operation. To see video clips of the rescue, click on the link below. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer] HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/news-2009-07-07-short-haul.htm"
Park dispatch received several calls around 6 a.m. yesterday morning reporting that someone had driven a car over the edge of the canyon near the El Tovar Hotel. Investigators found tire tracks leading to the edge behind the Thunderbird Lodge and located the vehicle about 600 feet below the rim. The body of the lone male occupant was found shortly thereafter. An investigation into the incident is being conducted. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Late in the afternoon of Thursday, June 30th, park dispatch received a call from a visitor reporting that a man in his early 60's was suffering from heat exhaustion on the Grand View trail. Preventative search and rescue ranger Tom Bruno responded and located the man on the trail approximately a mile below the canyon rim. Bruno began to treat the man for heat exhaustion by rehydrating him and cooling down his core temperature. The man was showing little improvement two hours later, so Bruno began making arrangements to extricate him from the canyon. Given the steep and narrow terrain, a litter carry was not feasible. After learning that the park helicopter was not available, preventative search and rescue ranger Ian Buchanan hiked down to their location with overnight gear and additional supplies and prepared the group to spend the night in the canyon. Park paramedic Lisa Hendy hiked in the following morning, provided IV therapy, and prepared the man for transport to the South Rim via short haul. From there, he was transported a short distance to the medical clinic on the South Rim. Although he hadn't complained of chest pain, clinic staff found him to be having asymptomatic cardiac disrhythmias upon arrival. He was immediately flown to the Flagstaff Medical Clinic, where he underwent emergency cardiac bypass surgery later that day. The man had been hiking with his brother when they ran out of water. The air temperature at the time of the incident was 104 degrees. [Elizabeth Aurnou, Backcountry Ranger]
Rangers are investigating the possible abduction of a woman from a residential area within the park. At approximately 7:50 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15th, park dispatch received a report of a woman being pushed into the trunk of a white passenger car. The incident was reported to have occurred in the vicinity of the Mohave Apartments, a residential area in Grand Canyon Village that is not frequented by park visitors. Rangers immediately set up a containment area, establishing checkpoints at all of the major access and egress points to the village, and canvassed the area where the abduction was reported to have occurred. Additionally, a BOLO (a "be on the look out" message) was distributed to local law enforcement agencies and rangers began searching for the vehicle in Grand Canyon Village and in the community of Tusayan immediately outside the nearest entrance station. Although rangers searched throughout the night, the vehicle was not located. Investigators are asking anybody who believes they might have information about this incident to call 928-638-7805. Reports can be made anonymously if that is the caller's preference. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist}
The body of a man who drove his car over the edge of the Grand Canyon last week has been identified as that of Gheorghe Chiriac of Apple Valley, California. Park dispatch received numerous reports that a car had been driven over the edge near the El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim around 6 a.m. on Monday, July 13th. Upon arriving at the scene, rangers found tire tracks indicating that a car had been driven up onto the curb of the loading area between the El Tovar Hotel and the Kachina Lodge. The car then veered left, traveling through the grass behind Kachina Lodge until it reached the Thunderbird Lodge, where it veered right and into the canyon. As the car had traveled a significant distance from the regular roadway, there was no wall or barrier where it went over the edge. Rescue personnel descended on ropes and located the vehicle approximately 600 feet below the rim. The man's body was found shortly thereafter. After the scene was documented, the body was transported to the rim by helicopter via long-line operation and then picked up by the Coconino County medical examiner. The body has now been identified as that of 57-year-old G.C., who emigrated from Romania approximately 30 years ago. His death has been ruled a suicide. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
An investigation into the reported abduction of a woman from the park's Mohave Apartments housing area came to an end this weekend when special agents from the Investigative Services Branch interviewed several local residents who admitted they were the cause of the report. At approximately 7:50 p.m. on the evening of July 15th, rangers responded to the Mohave Apartments to investigate the report of an individual being pushed into the trunk of a white passenger car. Rangers immediately set up a containment area, establishing checkpoints at all of the major access and egress points to the village, and canvassed the area where the abduction was reported to have occurred. Additionally, a BOLO ("be on the lookout" message) was distributed to local law enforcement agencies and rangers began searching for the vehicle in Grand Canyon Village and in the community of Tusayan. Additional patrols were scheduled and a nationwide broadcast was made to law enforcement agencies describing the incident. A 24-hour tip line was established, and the public was encouraged to call in if they had information. On Sunday, July 19th, several local residents were interviewed by investigators acting on a tip called in to the tip line. When interviewed, the residents said that they were at the Mohave Apartments at approximately 7:45 p.m. on July 15th in a white passenger vehicle and that there was an individual in the trunk of their car. The person in the trunk opened it several times while the vehicle was driving though the apartment complex, an action investigators believe was interpreted as someone in the trunk trying to escape. The person in the trunk also attempted to startle a female acquaintance by popping out of the trunk. Investigators believe this action was interpreted by witnesses as some kind of altercation. Several members of the group said that they knew they were the cause of the abduction report, but were afraid to come forward for fear of getting into trouble. Criminal charges may be pending through the United States Attorney's Office. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
On the evening of Tuesday, July 21st, park dispatch received a report that at least one and possibly as many as three young men were overdue from a backpacking trip to the Deer Creek/Thunder River area of the park. On Wednesday, rangers found the car of B.G., a student at Northern Arizona University, parked at the Bill Hall trailhead, which is located about half way between Tuweep and the developed area on the North Rim of the park. Initial investigations included aerial passes over the trails and major drainages in the area, contacting members of river trips and other backpackers on the trail, and contacting B.G.'s friends and acquaintances to gather more information. Based on the information received during these investigations, concerns grew that there might be as many as four individuals in the party of missing men. However, investigators have now contacted most of the friends it was feared might be with him and have concluded that Bryce B.G. most likely came to the park alone. Bryce is 20 years old and is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 130 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He departed for his trip into the canyon on Saturday, July 18th, and left word that he would return on Monday, July 20th. Search and rescue efforts are now focused on locating a lone male backpacker in the Deer Creek/Thunder River area. One ground search team was inserted on Wednesday evening to begin a more thorough search of the area and two additional ground search teams were inserted yesterday. A helicopter search is also underway, as weather permits. Rangers from Zion and Glen Canyon are being brought in to assist with search efforts. Hikers who may have seen B.G. are encouraged to contact the National Park Service at 928-638-7805. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
The search for missing backpacker B.G., 20, came to a conclusion on Saturday morning with the discovery of a body believed to be his in the Bonita Creek drainage on the North Rim. On Tuesday, July 21st, the park was notified that one or more hikers were overdue from a backpacking trip in Grand Canyon. B.G.'s car was soon found at the Bill Hall trailhead on the North Rim, and investigators determined that only one person had gone on the backpacking trip. With no backcountry permit to work from and no knowledge of B.G.'s specific plans, searchers began covering a large area from the Deer Creek drainage across Surprise Valley to the Tapeats Creek drainage and down to the river. On Saturday, they narrowed their search to the Bonita Creek drainage and surrounding area based on the discovery of personal items, including a backpack, in that vicinity. At approximately 9:30 a.m., a search team, moving up Bonita Creek from its confluence with the Colorado River, found a body at the top of a 100-foot pour-off. The body was located less than a half mile from the river confluence. This multi-day search involved approximately 50 NPS personnel and volunteers from Grand Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Zion National Park. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Park dispatch received a call from a party rafting on the Colorado last Thursday, reporting that they'd been flagged down by hikers on the cliffs above the river. The hikers told them they were out of water and in need of assistance. Shortly thereafter, a second report was received, adding that an 18-year-old member of the hiking party had died. A helicopter flew a park paramedic to the group's location, about half-way down the Shinumo Wash route. The teenager's body was found about a mile further up the wash. The immediate needs of the stranded hikers were provided for until they could be flown by the park helicopter to Highway 89, where they were met and assisted by Navajo Nation emergency crews. The body was retrieved and also transported by NPS helicopter to Highway 89, where it was met by the Coconino County medical examiner. The NPS and Navajo Nation will be conducting a joint investigation into the incident. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
Investigators are looking for K.L., a 20-year-old German national who hasn't been seen since he got off a commercial shuttle in the park on August 9th. The park received a call from the Flagstaff Police Department last Friday, advising that K.L.'s father had contacted them and reported him missing. His last contact with his son was on Saturday, August 8th, and he believed that the boy was heading to the park the next day. An investigation was immediately begun and rangers were able to confirm that K.L. had been seen getting out of a bus in front of Maswick Lodge that day. His itinerary in the park and plans after he left are unknown. K.L. is described as a white male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing approximately 145 pounds. He has short brown hair and blue eyes. The park is asking for assistance from visitors who've visited the park since August 8th and might have seen K.L. They're asked to contact the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center at 928-638-7805. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
K.L., the 20-year-old German national who Flagstaff Police Department officers and Grand Canyon rangers have been attempting to locate since August 14th, reported in to his family on Monday night. K.L.'s father contacted Flagstaff PD yesterday morning and advised that his son had called in via mobile phone - alive and well and on his way to Vancouver, British Columbia, on his continuing tour of North America. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
Rangers are searching the Grandview-Hance area for a man who has been missing since at least last Friday. At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 5th, the park received word that a man reported missing to the Coconino County Sherriff's Office might be in the Grand Canyon. The sheriff's office received the initial report on the evening of September 4th - based on evidence found during their investigations, they determined that 43-year-old A.B. of North Carolina might have gone hiking in the park. Upon receiving the report, rangers began searching parking areas near major trailheads on the South Rim. A short time later, a blue Hyundai Accent that A.B. had rented was found in the Grandview Point parking lot. Aerial searches of the primary trails, routes and drainages in the area were begun, and three ground search teams were inserted into the area to begin searching the primary trails. A.B.'s specific itinerary is unfortunately not known. Park investigators are therefore seeking the assistance of anyone who has visited the Grand Canyon within the last week and might have seen him. Andrew A.B. is described as being 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with short medium-brown hair and grey-blue eyes. He may or may not be unshaven at this time. A.B.'s last known location was the Grand Canyon Inn in Valle, Arizona, where he was last seen by hotel staff on August 30th. Anyone who may have seen A.B. since that time is asked to call the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center at 928-638-7805. NOTE: The InsideNPS web page includes a photo of A.B. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
The search continues for 43-year-old A.B. of Clayton, North Carolina, who was last seen on August 31st as he entered Grand Canyon National Park. The search for A.B. began on September 4th when the Coconino County Sherriff's Office received a report that he had not checked out of his hotel in Valle, Arizona, and that his things were still in the room. On September 5th, the sheriff's office informed the National Park Service that their investigations indicated that A.B. planned to hike in the Grand Canyon while he was in the area. A short time later, a blue Hyundai Accent rented in his name was found in the Grandview Point parking area on the South Rim of the park. Aerial and ground search efforts began in the Grandview-Hance area shortly thereafter. Monday's search operations included aerial search operations and ground teams searching trails, routes and drainages that can be reached from the Grandview and other connecting trails. In addition, two dog teams searched rim areas near the trailhead where vegetation and steep terrain inhibit human searchers, and technical rope/canyoneering teams began searching steep narrow drainages where a hiker could have become cliffed out. Yesterday, aerial operations were scaled back as the aerial search zone has now been thoroughly covered. Ground teams continued to search drainages and areas with dense vegetation. Two dog teams were inserted into the Horseshoe Mesa area, a popular day hike destination, and the technical rope crews continued to search steep drainages and cliff areas. In order to gain a better understanding of A.B.'s plans while he was in the park, investigators have been asking the public to call in if they have any information on his itinerary or if they think they have seen him within the last eight days. A.B. is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with short medium-brown hair and grey-blue eyes. He may or may not be unshaven at this time. Anyone who may have seen Andrew A.B. since August 31st is asked to contact the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center at 928-638-7805. The National Park Service is conducting an investigation into this incident and is working closely with the Coconino County Sherriff's Office on the investigation and on search and rescue efforts. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
The body of a lone male was spotted from the park's helicopter late yesterday morning. It's believed to be that of 43-year-old A.B. of Clayton, North Carolina, who searchers have been looking for since last weekend. It was outside the initial search zone, which had been based on his past history of short to medium day hikes in the area and the lack of a backcountry permit indicating a longer itinerary. Investigators also determined that A.B. had not shared a specific itinerary with anyone in his immediate family and that he had not been seen since approximately 5:00 a.m. on August 31st. By yesterday morning, all of the high-probability areas within the initial search zone had been searched and in many cases re-searched by ground crews, dog teams and technical rope/canyoneering teams. As a result, ground search crews had begun to scale back operations in the area. At the same time, continuing efforts by investigators led to a co-worker who believed that A.B.'s plans might have been a great deal more extensive than his past history in the park had indicated. This led search and rescue personnel to expand their search zone. With fewer ground personnel to support, the park's helicopter was able to engage in aerial search operations beyond the original search zone. Helicopter crew members spotted the body in a drainage north of the Tonto Trail and approximately two miles east of the South Kaibab Trail in the vicinity of Pattie Butte. The body was retrieved by helicopter via long-line operation and taken to the South Rim, where it was transferred to the Coconino County medical examiner. The park has extended its thanks to the local and national media and local communities that took an interest in this story and provided assistance in reaching out to the public for information about A.B. An investigation is underway. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
At 1:30 a.m. on the morning of September 2nd, the GEOS Emergency Response Center in Houston notified dispatch of a SPOT personal satellite tracker 911 activation that had been received from the park. The location coordinates placed the device along the Tanner Trail, approximately three miles from the trailhead. An investigation revealed that the registered owner was associated with a backcountry permit holder who had extensive hiking experience in the park. A trail response was begun at first light, just prior to the launch of the NPS helicopter with additional personnel. A ranger arrived on scene to find three people asleep in their tents and in no need of assistance. One of the hikers, who was on her first hike into Grand Canyon, claimed to have become alarmed during the night when her group ran out of water and she subsequently heard "odd" respiratory noises emanating from the leader of the group as he slept. At this point, the hiker decided that the group was in trouble, activated her SPOT messenger device, then promptly went back to sleep without making any contact with her hiking companions. The group ultimately abandoned further plans for their hike and returned to the rim. The Tanner Trail is exposed, with little shade and no water for the entire nine miles of the hike to the Colorado River. Following subsequent interviews with the involved hikers, the park decided not to take further action. [Ken Phillips, Chief, Emergency Services]
Park rangers recovered the body of a man yesterday in an area below the North Rim near the Toroweap Valley. The man's wife had called park dispatch around 10:30 on Monday night and reported her husband overdue. The man had started a day hike around 9:00 a.m. Monday on a trail known as the Lava Falls Route. He had planned on hiking to the Colorado River and back, a round trip distance of approximately three miles. When he failed to return by dusk, his wife drove from the Toroweap Valley to Fredonia, Arizona, a three hour drive, to report him overdue. Two rangers went to the trailhead Monday night to set up a containment area and to stage for an early morning search. An aerial search of the Lava Falls Route began yesterday morning at approximately 8:50 a.m.. The man's body was found on the lower end of the route, just off trail, at approximately 9:20 a.m. Due to the steep and remote terrain, rangers were required to hike to the scene from a landing zone approximately one hour away. The man's body was flown out to Kingman, then taken to the Mohave County Medical Examiner's Office. Although the Lava Falls Route is one of the shortest routes from the rim to the river, it is a hot, steep and difficult route, with loose talus slopes made up of volcanic rock and an elevation change from rim to river of more than 2500 feet. The trailhead is approximately three miles south of the Tuweep Campground in a remote area of the Grand Canyon. Tuweep is a five hour drive from the North Rim developed area. The man's name and hometown/state are being held pending notification of family members. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
The identity of the hiker whose body was found on Tuesday has been determined, as has the cause of death. T.P., 39, of Atlanta, Georgia, died from injuries sustained in a fall of about 15 feet while hiking on the North Rim's Lava Falls Route. Rangers found T.P.'s body on the lower end of the route during an aerial search Tuesday morning after his wife had reported him overdue. Although the Lava Falls Route is one of the shortest routes from the rim to the river, it is a hot, steep and difficult route, with loose talus slopes made up of volcanic rock and an elevation change from rim to river of more than 2500 feet. The trailhead is approximately three miles south of the Tuweep Campground, in a remote area of the Grand Canyon. Tuweep is a five hour drive from the North Rim developed area. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
During a traffic stop on East Rim Drive on August 8, 2008, ranger Aaron Titus noticed that the driver, D.L. of Tuba City, Arizona, had the smell of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and that a similar smell was emanating from the car. D.L. failed the standard field sobriety tests administered by Titus and provided a preliminary breath sample that indicated a an alcohol level of .19. Subsequent intoxilyzer breath tests registered .178 and .171. Investigation revealed that D.L.'s criminal history included three prior convictions for driving under the influence (including two prior felony convictions) in the past seven years, which would make this case a felony in the state of Arizona, and that his license was suspended for DUI at the time of his arrest, another state felony. Arizona has enhanced sentencing guidelines for "extreme DUI" for breath alcohol content greater than .150. On September 1st, D.L. pled guilty to aggravated driving under the influence in state superior court. He was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $5,862 in fines, assessments, fees, and surcharges. One of the aggravating circumstances noted in the judgment order was the danger presented by D.L. to the traveling public. [Jennifer Sypher, Special Agent]
On the evening of September 23rd, rangers began a search for hikers who repeatedly activated their rented SPOT satellite tracking device. The GEOS Emergency Response Center in Houston reported that someone in the group of four - two men and their two teenaged sons - had pressed the "help" button on their SPOT unit. The coordinates for the signal placed the group in a remote section of the park, most likely on the challenging Royal Arch loop. Due to darkness and the remoteness of the location, rangers were unable to reach them via helicopter until the following morning. When found, they'd moved about a mile and a half to a water source. They declined rescue, as they'd activated the device due to their lack of water. Later that same evening, the same SPOT device was again activated, this time using the "911" button. Coordinates placed them less than a quarter mile from the spot where searchers had found them that morning. Once again, nightfall prevented a response by park helicopter, so an Arizona DPS helicopter whose crew utilized night vision goggles was brought in. They found that the members of the group were concerned about possible dehydration because the water they'd found tasted salty, but no actual emergency existed. The helicopter crew declined their request for a night evacuation, but provided them with water before departing. On the following morning, another SPOT "help" activation came in from the group. This time they were flown out by park helicopter. All four refused medical assessment or treatment. The group's leader had reportedly hiked once at the Grand Canyon; the other adult had no Grand Canyon and very little backpacking experience. When asked what they would have done without the SPOT device, the leader stated, "We would have never attempted this hike." The group leader was issued a citation for creating a hazardous condition (36 CFR 2.34(a)(4)). [Brandon Torres, Canyon District Shift Supervisor]
Park dispatch was notified of the 911 activation of a SPOT satellite locator device in Elves Chasm around 1 p.m. on the afternoon of Friday, November 13th. The chasm consists of a series of waterfalls and pools in a high-walled canyon about 30 miles downriver from Phantom Ranch. The 911 activation of a SPOT device transmits location coordinates and a non-specific emergency call for help. A second activation at the same location was reported approximately 30 minutes later. At the time of these activations, the park's helicopter was unable to respond due to high winds and poor visibility, so a plane already in the air on another mission was dispatched to fly reconnaissance over the area. About an hour later, dispatch received a satellite phone report from a private river trip leader advising that a 39-year-old man had fractured his lower leg in multiple places when he took a fall in Elves Chasm. Because their satellite phone was not getting a signal at the time, a member of the group activated the 911 function on their SPOT device. Now in contact with the group, rangers were able to work with them over the phone to consider their self-rescue options. Unfortunately, self-rescue was not possible, and weather conditions did not improve enough for the helicopter to fly that evening. With over-the-phone guidance from park rangers, trip members made the injured man comfortable for the evening. Early the next morning, he was lifted from Elves Chasm by short-haul (suspended on a 150-foot line below the helicopter) and transported to a flat area where he could be loaded into the helicopter and flown to the South Rim helibase. From there, he was transported by ground ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center. Although there has recently been a great deal of publicity about 911 activations of SPOT devices for non-emergencies, this situation exemplifies the value of these devices when used appropriately in emergency situations. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
Rangers recovered the body of a man from a spot 200 feet below the South Rim on the afternoon of November 28th. Around 12:30 p.m., park dispatch began receiving calls reporting a man over the edge in the area between Mather Point and Pipe Creek Vista, about two miles east of South Rim Village. Rangers responded by helicopter and soon found his body. They rappelled down to the spot and prepared the body for helicopter extrication. The man had been visiting the park with his son, daughter-in-law and other extended family. No further details are currently available. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Rangers responded to a request for assistance from the Grand Canyon Railway at the rail junction with Rowe Well Road three miles inside the park boundary late on the morning of December 14th. Upon arriving at the scene, they found the train stopped approximately 70 feet beyond the rail junction with one of the locomotive's four axles no longer on the track. The train's 70 passengers, four engine crew members, and three passenger service attendants were unhurt, but eager to finish their trip to the South Rim. Xanterra South Rim, a park concessioner, brought in buses to transport the passengers the rest of the way to Grand Canyon Village while railway and NPS crews worked to clear snow and ice in order to get the train's axle back on the track. The locomotive involved in the incident returned to Williams early that afternoon so that a full inspection could be conducted. A replacement locomotive was brought in to complete the train's scheduled round trip. The train's departure was also delayed by an hour in order to give passengers the full benefit of their visit to the park. Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was caused by a buildup of ice on the tracks. Although the Federal Railroad Administration requires that tracks such as those in the park be inspected two times per week, Grand Canyon Railway makes every effort to inspect its tracks daily. Railway staff confirmed that the Rowe Well section of track was last inspected yesterday. The NPS is continuing its investigation into the incident. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
Rangers and road crews responded to numerous accidents on Tuesday after light snow fell on wet roads just as evening temperatures dropped below freezing. Numerous calls began coming in around 5 p.m. reporting accidents in the vicinity of Buggeln Hill on Desert View Drive, also known as the East Rim Drive. Shortly thereafter, additional calls came in reporting the rollover of a 15-passenger van and a possible car over the edge in the vicinity of Navajo Point, located between Buggeln Hill and Desert View. All available emergency responders were immediately called out to assist with the incidents. Emergency crews arrived at Buggeln Hill around 5:30 p.m. and found multiple accidents, involving approximately 40 vehicles, blocking the road. After determining that no serious injuries were being reported, crews began working to clear a lane so that additional emergency responders could continue on to Navajo Point. Responders from Desert View arrived at the scene of the Navajo Pont accident around the same time and found a 15-passenger van over the edge and about 25 feet below the rim. The van's six passengers had already gotten out and were reporting only minor injuries. Initial investigations indicate that the van slid over the edge and rolled down the embankment. Two ambulances and additional ranger staff from Grand Canyon Village arrived at the Navajo Point accident scene around 6:10 p.m. once a lane at Buggeln Hill had been cleared. After being examined by park EMT's, two of the van's six passengers were transported to Flagstaff Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The other four passengers were transported to Tusayan. The accidents are being investigated. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
A man's body was discovered below the canyon rim at the Abyss on Hermit Road on Wednesday. On Tuesday afternoon, rangers found a light-colored passenger vehicle parked at the Abyss with no owner immediately apparent. The following morning, rangers went out to check on the vehicle and found that it was still parked at the Abyss, triggering an investigation which included using a spotting scope to search below the rim. Unable to thoroughly view the area with the spotting scope, rangers requested a helicopter to assist with a below-rim investigation. At about 10:45 a.m., the helicopter crew reported spotting the body of a lone man about 300 feet below the rim. Search and rescue personnel rappelled down to the location and extricated the body, which was transferred to the Coconino County medical examiner. A location is underway. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
On July 23rd, park law enforcement rangers responded to an in-park residence to investigate a report of a three-month-old infant with extensive bruising and other injuries consistent with trauma. When they arrived, they quickly realized the injuries might be the result of child abuse. As a result, they immediately contacted an on-call special agent with the Service's Investigative Services Branch. A cooperative investigation conducted by the ISB and Grand Canyon rangers was begun. Ultimately, the infant's father, D.B., 29, confessed to assaulting his son. He said that he'd been drinking while watching his three-month old son the previous day, that he'd became frustrated, and that he grabbed, squeezed, and shook his infant son. As a result of the harsh treatment, the infant suffered substantial bodily injury requiring hospitalization. On January 26th, D.B., a Michigan man now residing in Tusayan, pled guilty to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a person under the age of 16. Sentencing is set for April 12th. [Robert Mullikin, Special Agent In Charge]
A private boating party stranded near Crystal Rapid was able to continue down the river late Thursday afternoon after being rescued by National Park Service rangers the previous day. At approximately 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24th, dispatch received a report from the leader of a private river trip that one of his 18-foot rafts was stranded on the rock garden at Crystal Rapid, located just past river mile 98 approximately 11 miles downriver from Phantom Ranch. The party had worked for three hours to free the boat themselves with no success and needed assistance. Aerial reconnaissance confirmed the location of the boat and that its three passengers were unable to get to dry land. Due to the time constraints presented by deteriorating weather conditions, a decision was made not to attempt a water rescue. Instead, the three passengers were lifted by helicopter, one at a time, and transported to shore via a short-haul operation. Once on shore, they were able to join the rest of their party and spend a dry night until weather conditions improved enough to allow rangers to retrieve their boat. On Thursday, additional personnel and equipment were flown to a landing zone near the rapid. After the park's Zodiac rescue boat was inflated and made ready, rangers motored out to the stranded raft, unloaded the remaining gear, then rocked the boat free of the rock garden. It was then brought to shore to be reunited with its passengers and crew; by 4:30 p.m., they were again on their way down the river. No injuries to passengers or crew were reported. Fourteen park staff participated in this two day rescue and recovery operation, including search and rescue rangers, river rangers, helitack crew members, and helicopter and fixed wing pilots. This rescue and retrieval required extensive coordination of disperse resources and was aided by the availability of the park's fixed wing plane, which retrieved appropriately skilled personnel from temporary assignment in Utah. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
On September 9, 2009, park law enforcement rangers responded to a report of possible child abuse at an in-park residence. When they arrived, they found a highly-intoxicated man and his two juvenile children present in the house. One of the children, a five-year-old boy, had injuries consistent with trauma. As a result, the rangers immediately contacted an on-call special agent with the National Park Service's Investigative Services Branch. A cooperative investigation by the agent and park law enforcement rangers was begun, and the child's father, N.Y., 33, was arrested. On March 3rd, N.Y., pled guilty to two counts of assault on a person under the age of 16. As a component of the plea agreement, N.Y. disclosed that he choked and punched the child between the evening of September 8, 2009, and the following morning. N.Y. has been in federal custody since his arrest. Sentencing is set for May 21st. [Christopher Smith, Special Agent]
On March 6th, law enforcement rangers responded to the Bright Angel Lodge to investigate a report of a found cellular phone with images of child pornography on it. Prior to the arrival of the rangers, the phone's owner, a local resident and registered sexual offender, arrived and collected his phone from the lodge staff. The rangers immediately contacted an on-call special agent with the NPS Investigative Services Branch. A cooperative investigation by the agent and rangers was begun. Several interviews were conducted and later the same day a federal search warrant was served at the man's residence, located in one of the park's concession dormitories. Printed child pornography and multiple electronic items suspected to contain files of child pornography were seized. He was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography. He remains in federal custody. [Robert Mullikin, Special Agent in Charge, ISB Central]
Rangers found two overdue hikers yesterday afternoon following a search that began on Monday. The hikers, I.R. and M.W., both from Kansas, were found along the Colorado River near Royal Arch, an area of the Grand Canyon west of the South Rim developed area and Hermits Rest. The two men had obtained a backcountry permit from the park to hike in the Royal Arch and South Bass areas, departing on March 16th and returning on March 20th. On Monday, a member of one of the men's families notified the park that the two men had failed to return to Kansas as planned. Following the phone call from the family member, the park began an aerial and ground search and an investigation. The men were spotted from the park's helicopter around 3 p.m. Both were okay and were flown out to the South Rim. Several factors helped search and rescue personnel in finding the missing hikers, including the fact that they'd obtained the required backcountry permits and that they had informed family members of where they were planning to hike and when they were planning to return. [Robin Martin]
In November, 2009, special agents with the NPS' Investigative Services Branch began an investigation into the theft of thousands of dollars from the Native American Education Committee (NAEC), a nonprofit group comprised of parents, guardians, and interested supporters of Native American students attending the Grand Canyon School located within the park. NAEC provides support to Native American students at Grand Canyon in the form of scholarships and other financial support, which allows them to pursue opportunities they might otherwise not be able to afford. It raises money for the scholarships through fundraising activities in Grand Canyon. On April 14th, NAEC's former treasurer was charged with three felony counts of theft and nine misdemeanor counts of theft. The defendant's initial appearance is scheduled for May 3rd. The prosecution is being handled by Shelia Philips, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona. [Robert W. Mullikin, Special Agent in Charge]
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 13th, park law enforcement rangers responded to a report of a stolen Xanterra work truck. The responding rangers processed the scene of the theft and located the truck in the woods adjacent to a nearby apartment building. Rangers contacted an on-call special agent with the NPS Investigative Services Branch and a joint investigation was begun. Rangers tracked distinct footprints to a nearby residence where they arrested a man who was interviewed by agents and confessed to stealing the truck while intoxicated. He was charged with one felony count of theft as well as an associated misdemeanor charge. The man remains in federal custody. [Robert W. Mullikin, Special Agent in Charge]
NPS investigators yesterday afternoon attempted to contact a man with an outstanding warrant against him who was visiting a local resident and staying in a house in the park's residential area. Because he was believed to be armed, every precaution was taken to assure the safety of their team and local residents. When repeated efforts to engage the man failed, a perimeter was established around the house while investigators tried to communicate with him and the Flagstaff Tactical Operations Team - a highly trained tactical response team made up of members of the Flagstaff Police Department and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office - was called in to provide support, assistance and a tactical response if needed. At the same time, all nearby residences were evacuated and the roads into the area were closed off. When the tactical team arrived, a joint command was established and the team's negotiator joined in the efforts to elicit a response from the man, but he did not respond. At approximately 7:30 p.m., having exhausted all other options, the tactical team entered the house and found the man dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. The body has been transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The park has extended its thanks to the team for its quick response and assistance in resolving this incident. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
Last May, special agents with the NPS Investigative Services Branch and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with protection rangers, served a search warrant on a residence located within the park. The occupant - G.H. - was subsequently arrested and ultimately charged with four counts of receipt of child pornography, two counts of possession of child pornography, and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. In January, G.H. pled guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. He was sentenced last month to 48 months in prison and 15 years of supervised release. He also forfeited electronic items and a .22 caliber Berretta handgun. [Robert W. Mullikin, Special Agent in Charge]
Park dispatch received a report that someone had gone over the canyon's edge near Mather Point on the South Rim around 5:40 a.m. last Friday morning. Upon arriving at the scene, which was about a quarter mile east of Mather Point, rangers spotted a body 400 to 600 feet below the rim. Witnesses said that the man had run to the edge, then gone over. Initial efforts to hike to the body were unsuccessful; instead, search and rescue crew members had to rappel down to the body to prepare it for transport. It was subsequently flown out via helicopter long-line. Rangers are investigating the incident as a possible suicide. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
The body of a man retrieved from below the rim on Friday, May 21st, has been identified as that of 64-year-old M.M. of Long Beach, California. His death has been ruled a suicide. Around 5:40 a.m. that morning, park dispatch received a report that someone had gone over the edge near Mather Point on the South Rim. Upon arriving at the scene, rangers spotted a body almost 600 feet below the rim and were told by witnesses that they had seen the man running up to and jumping over the edge of the canyon. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
A man called park dispatch on Wednesday evening to report an overdue hiker. He said that the woman had gone to Tuweap on Tuesday with his son, who was hiking down the Lava Falls Route to the Colorado to join a float trip. When she failed to return home, he became concerned and reported her overdue. Rangers launched a search for the rafter early yesterday and found him on the river late in the morning. The young man said that he'd last seen his hiking companion on the Lava Falls Route at mid-day on Tuesday. Rangers then began an aerial search of the route and found her body in early afternoon below the North Rim near Toroweap Valley. The Mohave County medical examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine cause of death. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Park dispatch received a call just after 9 p.m. on Sunday evening reporting that a man had been seen getting out of his car at Moran Point, climbing over a retaining wall, then lying down at the edge of the canyon. When rangers got there, they found the car, but no sign of the man witnesses had described. Further investigation had to be postponed until daylight. Rangers found the car still parked at the point on Monday morning, with no sign of the man in the area, so a search was begun below the rim. Based on evidence found there, they called in the park's helicopter to reconnoiter the area. The man's body was spotted about 250 feet below the rim at noon. The body has been recovered and an investigation is underway. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
Yesterday afternoon, park dispatch received a report that a man had fallen over the edge of the canyon near Mather Point on the South Rim. Arriving rangers spotted the 18-year-old French visitor about 75 feet below the rim a quarter mile east of the point. He was conscious, but in need of medical assistance. Ranger-paramedics rappelled down to his location, assessed and treated his injuries, and prepared him for evacuation. He was short-hauled to the park helibase, then taken by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he's being treated for wrist, ankle and neck injuries. According to witnesses, the man slipped and fell while taking pictures near the rim. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
On Monday afternoon, rangers freed the second of two boats which became stranded over the weekend at Crystal Rapid on the Colorado River. On Friday afternoon, park dispatch received a report of a boat stuck on the rock garden at Crystal Rapid. River and search and rescue rangers and the park's inflatable Zodiac were flown by helicopter to a nearby beach, where it was determined that one of two motorized rafts in a Western River Expeditions boat trip had become stranded at the top of the rock garden. The Zodiac was launched to rescue the boat's passengers, and, by 8 p.m., the 16 passengers and crew had been transported to shore, where they set up camp. The other raft in the party continued on to Lower Tuna. The following morning, an Outdoors Unlimited oar-powered raft became stranded at the same location as rescuers were attempting retrieval of the Western raft. Rescuers already on the scene quickly rescued the boat's operator and transported her to shore, where she rejoined the Outdoors Unlimited trip. On Saturday, a separate Western river trip passed through the area and picked up half of the passengers from the stranded boat on the original trip. On Sunday, a raft sent by Western to take the place of the stranded raft arrived at Crystal Rapid, resupplied the Outdoors Unlimited trip which had lost gear when its boat flipped, then picked up the remaining passengers and crew from the original Western trip so that they could continue down the river and rejoin the rest of their group. Once resupplied, the Outdoors Unlimited trip also continued down the river. Their boat was freed late in the day on Sunday and tied to shore downriver of the rapid so that Outdoors Unlimited could retrieve it at a later date. On Monday, after unloading and partially de-rigging the raft to lighten its load, rangers were able to free the Western raft, which was reloaded and rigged and continued downstream to the takeout at Pearce Ferry. No injuries to either boating party were reported. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
The former director of the Kaibab Learning Center, a not-for-profit center located in the park and the primary day-care provider for the area, has pled guilty to embezzlement from the center. In April, 2009, allegations surfaced that she had been stealing money from the center. The Grand Canyon Field Office of the Investigative Services Branch (ISB) subsequently launched an investigation into her activities. Witness interviews were conducted and the center's financial records were analyzed with the assistance of the ISB's intelligence analyst. Multiple searches were also conducted, including the service of a search warrant at her residence. On August 4th, she pled guilty to embezzlement in federal district court in Flagstaff. She admitted to collecting cash payments from parents whose children attended the center and keeping the money for herself rather than depositing the funds to the Kaibab Learning Center account. As part of her plea agreement, she has agreed to pay $55,294 in restitution to the center. A conviction for embezzlement carries a maximum penalty of five years, a $250,000 fine, or both. Sentencing is set for November 19th. [Robert W. Mullikin, Special Agent in Charge, ISB Central]
A pickup truck crashed into a tree on Center Road on the South Rim on the evening of August 23rd. Responding rangers immediately closed the road from its intersection with the South Entrance Road to its intersection with Market Plaza in order to facilitate extrication of its three male occupants. Two of them were taken to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries; the third was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident is being investigated by the National Park Service with the assistance of the Coconino County Sheriff's Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
On August 31st and September 1st, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and rangers from the Grand Canyon Fee and Commercial Law Enforcement Unit conducted an unannounced commercial vehicle inspection within the park. This two-day-long, multi-agency operation focused on improving public safety by reducing the potential for accidents and injuries due to unsafe commercial vehicles and drivers on park roadways. A total of 228 commercial vehicles (buses, trucks, vans, and taxis) were inspected during the operation. Arizona DPS officers wrote 336 safety warnings and twelve citations, resulting in 33 vehicles being placed out of service for repair and an additional 25 drivers being placed out of service. Common vehicle violations included brake system malfunctions, steering issues, cracked frames, unsafe loads, tire problems, and electrical system fire hazards. Common driver's violations included suspended drivers licenses, no medical card, log book violations, and exceeding hours of service. A total of 160 commercial use audits were conducted by NPS rangers, resulting in nine citations and eight warnings for violating park fee and commercial use regulations. This yearly operation continues to be a great success due to the dedication of the many different Grand Canyon divisions that lend their staffs to assist in the operation, as well as the excellent working relationship that rangers maintain with the park's neighboring law enforcement agencies. Additional unannounced inspections will continue throughout the year. [Frank DeLuca, Supervisory Park Ranger]
The body of a man recovered from a remote area within the park has been identified as that of 30-year-old G.S. of Lawrence, Kansas. G.S. and four companions headed out on what was to be a day hike to the river on the Lava Falls route on Tuesday. That remote hiking route is near Tuweep in the Toroweap Valley, approximately three-and-a-half hours from the developed area on the North Rim. Initial investigations indicate that G.S. hiked approximately half of the way down to the river and then decided to wait for his companions to descend to the river and come back to his location. He was last seen by his friends at approximately 9 a.m. that morning. G.S.'s body was found by one of his hiking companions late Tuesday afternoon, approximately 100 yards from a parking area adjacent to the spot where the route begins. His hiking companion reported the incident to a National Park Service volunteer at Tuweep. Rangers recovered his body Wednesday morning. It was flown to Kingman, Arizona, and transferred to the Mohave County medical examiner. Initial indications are that G.S.'s death was heat-related. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
A man fell 500 feet to his death from the South Rim last Friday afternoon. The incident occurred between Pipe Creek Vista and the visitor center. An eyewitness said that the man - identified as A.S., 42, of Burbank, California - was trying to jump from one outcropping to another just off the trail when he fell. Rangers recovered the body the following day. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Two women were struck by lightning on the South Rim on Friday afternoon. The two women, both from Seoul, Korea, were standing on the rim east of the visitor center when they were hit, apparently by a secondary strike. One woman, 45, was taken by Guardian Air to the Flagstaff Medical Center, where she was treated and released; the other woman, also 45, was taken to the Northland Community Health Center in Grand Canyon National Park, where she too was treated and released. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
During the three-day period from Saturday, October 16th, to Monday, October 18th, park SAR personnel responded to numerous incidents, including three helicopter short-haul missions: Saturday - The park received a request from Zion NP for assistance in an ongoing technical rescue. Grand Canyon crews worked jointly with Zion SAR personnel in conducting a helicopter short-haul rescue of an injured hiker from Gunsight Canyon. Sunday - The park was notified of a private river trip raft stranded on a rock in Nevill's Rapid. The occupants were short-hauled to the shore; swiftwater rescue personnel then worked through the night to free and salvage the raft. As they were clearing from this incident on Monday, they saw another rafter have the exact same accident. The rafter was rescued by personnel in a rescue Zodiac and a second salvage operation was conducted. Monday - Park staff flew by helicopter to Hermit Creek Campground to treat and evacuate a 57-year-old woman in critical condition with stroke-like symptoms. Due to the lack of a safe landing zone anywhere near the campsite, she was short-hauled to a nearby landing zone in open terrain, then flown to a waiting medevac helicopter at the South Rim helibase. [Ken Phillips, Chief, Branch of Emergency Services]
Park dispatch received a report of a fatality on a private river trip on the Colorado River on Wednesday afternoon. According to the report, a member of the party had been hiking above Elves Chasm and had fallen to his death. Trip members had retrieved the body and were already back on the river. Rangers met the party at Blacktail, approximately three miles downriver from the chasm, where they conducted initial interviews and investigations and retrieved the body, which was flown via helicopter to the South Rim helibase. It was then transferred to the Coconino County medical examiner. The deceased has been identified as 52-year-old J.K. of Goodyear, Arizona. An investigation into this incident is being conducted. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
On October 13th, park resident E.B., 35, was indicted by a federal grand jury in on a single count of child abuse under circumstances likely to produce death or serious physical injury of a child. The indictment stems from a September 9th incident in which E.B. was responsible for watching a toddler. E.B. became intoxicated and passed out, allowing the toddler to exit the mobile home and wander into the woods, where he was later found approximately a half mile from his home. After crossing South Entrance Road, one of the busiest streets in the park, he was rescued by a road construction worker who saw him sitting along the roadside. A joint investigation into the incident was conducted by rangers and Investigative Services Branch special agents. A conviction of child abuse under circumstances likely to produce death or serious physical injury of a child is a Class 2 felony and carries a maximum penalty of 10 to 25 years in prison and a fine. [Christopher Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge]
On the afternoon of November 3rd, rafters on a private river trip discovered a man's body near river mile 21. The park was notified and rangers were flown in via helicopter to investigate. Due the lateness of the hour, they remained on scene through the night. The body was flown out the next afternoon and turned over to the county medical examiner for autopsy and identification. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Park dispatch received a 911 call just after 2:30 a.m. last Wednesday in which a park resident reported that his 32-year-old wife, who was seven months pregnant, was experiencing abdominal pain. Rangers responded and found that she was in labor. They got her into a park ambulance and headed for Flagstaff Medical Center, 75 miles away. While still in the park, she began delivering. The ambulance pulled off the road and the baby was brought into the world by paramedic Ken Phillips with ranger/EMT Brett Hergert assisting. There were no complications. Mother and son were taken by ambulance to the Valle Airport and flown to Flagstaff for further evaluation. A Guardian Medical Transport paramedic assisted by monitoring both mother and child during the ambulance transport. [Bonnie Taylor, EMS Coordinator]
Park dispatch received a satellite telephone call from a private river party with a medical emergency at Kwagunt Rapids just after 8 p.m. on the evening of January 5th. A 54-year-old member of the group who'd been missing for about 15 minutes had been found face down in the river and in respiratory distress. He was evidently the victim of a seizure. Other members of the group began rescue breathing and resuscitated him. Following a risk assessment, park personnel had an Arizona DPS Air Rescue helicopter respond to the scene with the aid of night vision goggles. The man lost consciousness while rescuers were en route, but had regained it, albeit with an altered mental status, when they arrived. He was stabilized at the scene and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. Although helicopter evacuations occur on a regular basis at Grand Canyon, a night helicopter evacuation is a very rare event. Adam Sherman was the incident commander. [Ken Phillips, Chief, Emergency Services]
Park dispatch received a report of CPR in progress from a private river trip on the Colorado River on Monday morning. Rangers flew by helicopter to the location, just below President Harding Rapid. They took over efforts to revived the man, but were unsuccessful. Members of the party reported looking back after they'd successfully navigated the rapid and seeing the man's kayak upside down in the water. They found and retrieved him as quickly as possible, then began CPR and summoned assistance. The body was flown by helicopter to the South Rim and turned over to the county medical examiner. An investigation into the cause of death is underway. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
Ranger Will Jaynes stopped a vehicle on South Entrance Road for a speeding violation on the evening of December 21st. While talking with the operator, Jaynes smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Once the two occupants exited the truck, the driver was asked how much marijuana he had in the truck; he responded that he had a pound. The exact amount came to 594.9 grams of individually packaged marijuana. Also found in the truck were a scale and $5,440 in cash, some of it packaged in $1,000 amounts. Rangers are working with Investigative Services Branch special agents on the case. Several felony charges are being filed, including possession of a controlled substance and distribution. [Aaron Titus, Village Shift Supervisor]
Park dispatch received a report of a missing woman in the vicinity of the Yavapai Geology Museum on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 9th. The caller said that he'd gone to the men's room and was unable to find his wife when he returned. About an hour later, rangers spotted a body, believed to be that of the missing woman, about 600 feet below the rim just east of the museum. Due to waning light and quickly dropping temperatures, a decision was made to wait until Wednesday morning to send rangers in to recover the body. It was then flown to the rim and turned over to the county medical examiner. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
On Sunday, March 13th, Grand Canyon Airport received a report from a general aviation pilot of an activated emergency locator transmitter (also known as an ELT). The airport immediately notified the NPS because the ELT had been detected approximately 30 miles northwest of Grand Canyon Village in the vicinity of Fossil Corridor within Grand Canyon National Park. The park's helicopter flew the area in the vicinity of the reported ELT activation, but did not find any signs of a downed plane nor did they detect the beacon. Because no corresponding report of a missing plane could be found, the search was called off at that point. On Monday, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office contacted the park about a missing person - 47-year-old J.R. of Glendale, Arizona. In the course of their investigation, the sheriff's office had determined that J.R. owned a red, RV-6 homebuilt, experimental aircraft, which was also missing. They also determined that J.R.'s plane was seen at Grand Canyon Airport shortly after 8:30 a.m. the previous Friday. Based on radar tracking information from Friday, the crew of the park helicopter concentrated their search efforts in the Scorpion Ridge area, located in the vicinity of the Dragon Corridor, on Monday. On Tuesday, the park's helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft both flew search patterns in the Fossil Corridor and Scorpion Ridge areas, but with no success. Meanwhile, the sheriff's office continued its investigations and began contacting backpackers known to have been to these areas to see if anyone had seen or heard the plane on Friday. Investigations and aerial searches continued yesterday. The focus was on Bedrock and Galloway Canyons in the Fossil Corridor area. J.R. is described as a 47-year-old white male, with blue eyes, graying hair and a receding hairline. He is 5'11" tall and weighs approximately 190 pounds. His plane is described as an RV6 Kit Built cherry red airplane with tail number N650RV. Anyone who may have seen J.R. or his plane on Friday morning is asked to contact the park at 928-638-7805. The latest estimate of the total search area is 600 square miles with the National Park Service leading joint search operations with the Coconino County Sheriff's Office. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
The park is continuing to search approximately 600 square miles of rugged backcountry for a possible downed plane. The red, RV-6 homebuilt experimental aircraft and its pilot - 47-year-old J.R. of Glendale, Arizona - were last seen on Friday, March 11th, and an ELT signal was detected two days later approximately 30 miles northwest of Grand Canyon Village in the vicinity of Fossil Corridor. A search has been underway since then. The NPS has used both a fixed-wing airplane and helicopter in search efforts over the last several days, but no signs of either J.R. or the plane have been found. The National Park Service is leading joint search operations, which are being conducted with the Coconino County Sheriff's Office. Both agencies are grateful to the Civil Air Patrol for its invaluable assistance with investigations, including radar and ELT analyses. [Maureen Oltrogge and Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officers]
On March 6th, rangers responded to the Bright Angel Lodge to investigate a report of a found cellular phone with images of child pornography on it. Prior to the arrival of the rangers, the phone's owner, a local resident and registered sexual offender, came and collected his phone from the lodge staff. The rangers immediately contacted an on-call special agent with the Investigative Services Branch. A cooperative investigation was begun by ISB agents and park rangers. Several interviews were conducted and later the same day a federal search warrant was served at the man's residence, located in one of the park's concession dormitories. Printed child pornography and a number of electronic items containing files of child pornography were seized. On March 21st, T.V., 33, of Grand Canyon, was convicted of receipt of child pornography and was sentenced to 97 months imprisonment. Upon release from prison in 2018, T.V. will be on lifetime supervised probation. [Investigative Services Branch]
Two hikers were injured by a human-caused rockfall on the South Kaibab Trail below the South Rim on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 29th. Just after 2 p.m., park dispatch received a report that a man had been injured by a rockfall in "the chimney," a section of tight switchbacks located immediately below the rim. Emergency response personnel were immediately dispatched to the location. Upon arrival, they found that two people - a nine-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man - had suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the human-caused rockfall. They were stabilized and brought up to the rim. The nine-year-old was taken to the North Country Grand Canyon Clinic, where he was treated and released; the 18-year-old was transported via ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment. Investigators have determined that the rock fall was unintentionally caused by the activities of a visitor on a switchback above the injured hikers. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Members of the Civil Air Patrol's Nevada Wing joined the ongoing three-week-long search for J.R. last Thursday. The NPS and Coconino County Sherriff's Office have been searching for J.R. since determining that he and his plane were last seen on Friday, March 11th, at Grand Canyon Airport. An NPS helicopter and airplane have flown about 2,000 air miles over the search area, originally estimated at 600 square miles, over the course of the search. No signs of J.R. or his plane or a crash site have yet been found. With the search area thoroughly covered by the available technology and weather worsening, search and rescue personnel last week turned their efforts toward sorting and analyzing the clues investigators had been gathering while the search progressed. Searchers and Air Force Rescue Coordination Center technical experts met last Tuesday to analyze those investigative clues alongside the latest interpretations of the technical data. Through their analysis, SAR personnel were able to define smaller areas within the larger search zone that could be searched again with more advanced technology. On Thursday, members of CAP's Nevada Wing used a Surrogate Predator aircraft to search six areas in the park's Fossil Corridor identified as probable areas where J.R.'s plane may have gone down. The CAP crew was to complete flights over the six search areas on Friday and provide the Surrogate Predator footage to park staff for review. The Surrogate Predator's sensor ball, mounted underneath the wing of a CAP Cessna 182, provides high resolution imagery. The areas where CAP pilots focused their efforts were based on FAA radar track and cell phone signal analysis, as well as visual sightings. This is the first time a Surrogate Predator has been used for a search mission, which CAP had previously employed to help train soldiers and airmen for combat operations overseas. For more information on the use of the Surrogate Predator in the search for Mr. J.R., please contact Colonel John Varljen, CAP, at 928-595-0206. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
On November 1st, protection rangers received a 911 phone call from a disoriented victim of an assault that had occurred near the Grand Canyon Recreation Center. Rangers ultimately located him at a nearby concessionaire dormitory and found that he'd been attacked in the woods, kicked in the face approximately twelve times, and had his property stolen. He'd sustained significant trauma to the face and was covered in blood. He was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center via the park's ambulance and was admitted with several facial bone fractures and a concussion. Rangers asked for the assistance of a special agent from the Investigative Service Branch and a joint investigation was begun. Special agents, rangers, and a deputy with the Coconino County Sherriff's Department conducted an investigation that ultimately led to the arrest of a juvenile park resident. Due to the juvenile's prior criminal history, he was charged as an adult in Arizona Superior Court. On March 24th, he pled guilty to aggravated assault and robbery, both felonies. The juvenile will be serving one year in prison and upon his release will serve three years of probation. [Investigative Services Branch- Central]
Park dispatch received a visitor report of a man panhandling at the Duck on a Rock pullout on the afternoon of April 22nd. Rangers Philip Oakes and Cori Conner - the former a field training ranger, the latter a trainee from North Cascades - headed to the spot, which is about ten miles east of Grand Canyon Village, and contacted the man, who declined to identify himself. He instead fled from the two rangers and jumped over the canyon edge, falling to a point approximately 25 feet below the rim. High-angle rescue team members were brought in and rappelled down to the man. On the way down, they were notified by rangers on the rim that one of the vehicles parked at Duck on a Rock belonged to a man wanted in connection with a murder investigation in Texas. When the rangers reached the man, they first handcuffed then treated him. He was placed on a litter, lifted to the rim, and taken to Flagstaff Medical Center by DPS helicopter to have his injuries treated. Rangers identified him as T.B., 48, who is wanted in connection with a murder investigation in Texas. Once he is released from the hospital, he will be transported to the Coconino County Detention Center, where he will remain in custody until Texas Rangers pick him up. The vehicle, which is associated with the Texas murder investigation, has been impounded by the National Park Service and is being held for the Texas Rangers, who will process the car for clues. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
On the evening of Monday, April 26th, a visitor reported finding an injured man in the roadway on Desert View Drive near Twin Overlooks on the South Rim. The injured man told the visitor that he had accidently driven his vehicle over the canyon rim. Responding rangers found the reporting party and the driver of the vehicle near Twin Overlooks. The 21-year old male driver told them that he had extricated himself from the car, climbed up to the rim, and flagged down a passing motorist. He was treated at the scene and then taken by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center. Rangers found the vehicle about 200 feet below the rim the next morning, lodged against a tree. A plan is being developed to remove it in the near future. An investigation is underway. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
The park received a report of an injured 39-year-old male hiker below the South Rim on April 20th. While descending the New Hance Trail, which is a rugged and unimproved trail, he'd suffered a soft tissue ligament injury to his knee that prevented him from bearing weight on the injured leg. An NPS ranger/IEMT hiked to his location, three-quarters of a mile down the trail, and stabilized his injury. A ground-based litter evacuation was not considered feasible from the site; the crew of the park's helicopter performed a reconnaissance of the site, but determined that gusting winds prevented a rescue from being safely conducted. The ranger, who provided continued care, bivouacked overnight at the scene with the injured hiker. Winds decreased the next day, and rescuers successfully completed a helicopter short-haul extraction of the patient to the Moran Point Overlook. He was then transported by a waiting NPS ambulance. [Ken Phillips, Chief, Emergency Services]
A woman on a river trip sustained fatal injuries in a fall while on a side trip up the Tabernacle Route near Upper Rattlesnake last Thursday. According to one of the trip guides, who reported the incident via satellite phone, the woman, who was in her 70s, lost her footing and fell approximately 100 to 140 feet, suffering fatal head trauma. The body was flown via helicopter to the South Rim, where it was met by the Coconino County medical examiner. An investigation is underway. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
Rangers retrieved the body of a young man from below the South Rim last Friday morning. The body was found about 700 feet below the rim near park headquarters in an extremely steep and narrow drainage. Due to the inaccessible nature of the location, rangers involved in the recovery had to work in stages. The body was flown to the rim, where it was turned over to the county medical examiner. The recovery operation took almost five hours and involved 25 people. The identity of the young man is not known at this time. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the NPS with the assistance of the medical examiner's office. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
M.B., a park concession employee, was arrested by rangers on May 4th for being under the influence of alcohol and interfering with agency functions. M.B. refused to cooperate throughout the booking process. When a ranger attempted to fingerprint him, M.B. grabbed hold of one of the ranger's fingers, twisting it painfully and causing the ranger to forcefully disengage. Later the same day, the ranger noticed significant swelling on to the top of his wrist. The information regarding the injury was relayed to the assistant United States attorney and the Investigative Services Branch. A criminal complaint was filed for assault on a federal officer (18 USC 111(a)), a felony offense. On May 6th, M.B. pled guilty to a class A misdemeanor assault on a federal officer (18 USC 115(a)(1)(B)) and was sentenced to five days in jail and a year's supervised release. He was also banned from the park. The ranger suffered a muscle tear and will undergo physical therapy. He returned immediately to full duty status. [Jennifer Sypher, Special Agent]
On the evening of June 7th, dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a man had fallen near Maswik Lodge and was unconscious. Rangers responded and found him unresponsive and pulseless. Bystanders said that he'd clutched his chest and said that he was unable to breathe before he collapsed. CPR was begun and an AED was applied. Following one shock from the AED, the man regained a pulse and began breathing with assistance. The shock was delivered less than five minutes after the initial 911 call was received. The man was transported by ambulance to the South Rim Helibase, transferred to an air ambulance, and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. [Brett Hergert, Shift Supervisor, South Rim District]
Rangers recovered the body of 39-year-old J.J.W. Jr., of Lexington, South Carolina, last Thursday following a boating accident on the Colorado River. J.J.W. was part of a six-person private river trip that launched from Lees Ferry on Sunday, June 5th, with a scheduled take out at Pearce Ferry on June 22nd. Early reports indicate that they were traversing Hance Rapid when one of two row boats flipped, dumping the three occupants into the river. One person swam to shore and a second was able to stay with the boat and eventually make it back to shore, but J.J.W. was carried downriver. A passing commercial trip operated by Hatch River Expeditions found him face down in the water below Hance Rapid. He was pulled from the river and CPR was conducted for 45 minutes before an on-scene physician pronounced him dead. The body was recovered and flown to the South Rim. An investigation is underway. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Late on the evening of Wednesday, June 15th, rangers received notification that 64-year old B.D. of Fredonia, Arizona, had not returned from a backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon. The reporting party, a friend of B.D.'s, said that he had been expected back no later than Tuesday. B.D. had provided his friends with a detailed itinerary of his planned hiking route, which helped the agencies focus their search on the Sowats Point/Fishtail Mesa/Indian Hollow area, about 30 miles northwest of the North Rim developed area. B.D. had planned to enter the park at Indian Hollow, then find a route down to Hualapai Spring, cross to Kwagunt, and come back up and exit near Sowats Point at the Jumpup-Naile trailhead. On Thursday morning, once Coconino County Sheriff's Officers located B.D.'s car and confirmed that he had not yet left the area, the park helicopter flew two search patterns over his planned route with no success. On Thursday night, a DPS helicopter equipped with FLIR (forward looking infrared) technology, which detects variations in heat signature, also flew B.D.'s planned route with no success. On Friday, search operations expanded, adding teams to ground search the area between Fishtail Mesa and Indian Hollow. Late on Friday afternoon, a Forest Service officer on routine patrol found B.D. at the junction of two roads that were significantly north and east of his planned exit point. According to B.D., he had hiked his planned itinerary and stayed at Kwagunt on Monday night. On Tuesday, though, he was unable to locate the route up to Sowats Point, a route he had never hiked before. After spending a second night at Kwagunt, B.D. decided to hike out via Jumpup Canyon, a route he had traveled before, camping at Mountain Sheep Springs on Wednesday night and at a cabin near the top of Jumpup Canyon on Thursday night. B.D. was reported as being tired and unable to eat much, but otherwise in good condition and high spirits. The National Park Service credits B.D. with making sure friends knew when to expect him out of the backcountry, providing them with a detailed description of his planned route, and carrying extra food and supplies in case he was in the backcountry longer than expected. In addition, he did not panic when he could not find his route. Instead, he stayed near water and familiar terrain as he searched for his route and contemplated his options. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
The park received a report of an injured man beneath the canyon rim near Mather Point just after 7 a.m. last Saturday. Arriving rangers found a 19-year-old man approximately ten feet below the rim. Within 20 minutes of the initial call, they had made it down to him and began stabilizing his injuries and preparing him for transport. By 8:25 a.m., he'd been lifted to the, rim, where he was met by the park's ambulance and taken to Grand Canyon Clinic with non-life threatening injuries. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Park dispatch began receiving numerous calls for emergency assistance from visitors near Mojave Point early yesterday afternoon. When rangers arrived on scene, they found that six people had been injured in a lightning strike and that CPR was in progress on one of the victims, a woman who'd collapsed after the bolt hit very close to the party. Rangers took over CPR and moved their lifesaving efforts to an ambulance, as lightning continued to pose a threat to those who were outdoors. At the same time, the injured members of her party were transported to the park's Emergency Operations Center to get them out of the lightning. Their injuries were assessed at the center and basic first aid was provided. Emergency medical responders were never able to revive the woman who had collapsed, a 64-year-old German national who was part of a visiting tour group. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Park dispatch received a call from a visitor reporting a man over the edge below Lookout Studio on the South Rim on Friday afternoon. Rangers responded and called in the park's helicopter to help search for the body, which was found more than 200 feet below the rim at approximately 2:30 p.m. Members of the park's technical rescue team hiked a short distance down the Bright Angel trail, then traversed the canyon's edge to reach the body. It was then flown to the South Rim and transferred to the county medical examiner. The National Park Service is investigating the fatality as a possible suicide. The fall was witnessed by several visitors in the area. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Specialist]
A ranger at the Mather Campground on the South Rim received a report of a hiker possibly in distress on the Tanner Trail last Sunday morning. The backpackers who made the report told the ranger that they ran into a hiker on the Tanner Trail on Friday and that he appeared to be exhausted and had abandoned his pack further down the trail. The pair, who were also feeling heat-stressed, provided the hiker with additional water and told him they didn't think he could make it out. They urged him to go with them down to the river. He refused, saying he wanted to continue up the trail. On their way to the river, the pair passed the man's abandoned pack. On Saturday, as the pair began their return journey, they again passed the abandoned pack, took note of the permit information, and looked for the distressed hiker as they continued to their next campsite. They were carrying an extra gallon of water in case they ran into him again. On Sunday, they finished their backpacking trip without again seeing the distressed hiker. Concerned for his welfare, they reported their encounter with the hiker as soon as they returned to the rim. After receiving the report and determining that the hiker's car was still parked at the trailhead, rangers called for the park's helicopter to fly the Tanner Trail in an effort to quickly locate the man. Late in the morning, the helicopter's crew reported spotting a body in a wash just above Tanner Beach. Rangers who arrived at the scene confirmed that the body matched the description of the hiker that the backpackers encountered on Friday. The body was prepared for transport then flown to the South Rim by helicopter and transferred to the Coconino County medical examiner. The Tanner is a rugged, exposed trail. High temperatures over the period from Wednesday through Sunday ranged from 103 to 108 degrees at the Colorado River. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Park emergency responders were paged out for a cardiac arrest event near the Bright Angel trailhead on the South Rim around 7 a.m. on September 11th. An 81-year-old visitor was preparing to depart on a day mule ride down the Bright Angel Trail when he collapsed. Bystanders, including a physician and former paramedic, found him unresponsive and immediately began CPR. They were relieved by park EMS providers within a few minutes. The man was quickly defibrillated and advanced life support care was initiated. Within a few minutes of resuscitation attempts he spontaneously resumed circulation. He was stabilized by EMS providers and later transferred to a Classic Lifeguard aeromedical helicopter for transport to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he is expected to make a full recovery. [Ken Phillips, Chief, Emergency Services]
Park dispatch received a call from a private river runner via satellite phone on Sunday afternoon reporting a fatality on the Colorado River near Lava Falls. A medic and two investigators flew to the scene by helicopter and found the private river party and the man's body about a mile below Lava Falls. Participants on the river trip reported that two men had been washed out of their boat at Lava Falls. One man made it to safety, but the second man, later identified as 64-year old G.A. from Leavenworth, Kansas, was swept downriver. Participants on another boat in the group were able to intercept G.A. They said that he was able to hold onto the side of their boat for a short period of time before becoming dislodged. He told them that he was okay, though, and would swim to shore. They temporarily lost sight of him, but then found him floating face down less than a mile downriver. His lifejacket was up over his head. Group members pulled him out of the water and brought him to shore, where they started CPR. After 20 minutes, CPR was stopped and the called was placed to the park. G.A.'s body was flown by helicopter to the South Rim and then transferred to the Coconino County medical examiner. An investigation into his death is underway. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Specialist]
Around 7:30 a.m. yesterday morning, an employee in the park's South Entrance Station called dispatch and reported a motor home with smoke issuing from the cab near the park sign just south of the entrance. When firefighters arrived, they found the RV fully engulfed in flames and extinguished the blaze. Further investigation revealed that the RV had been occupied and that people had died in the fire. At the time of the report yesterday evening, rangers were awaiting the arrival of the Coconino County medical examiner, who will be assisting them in determining the number of fatalities. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
In August, 2010, a vehicle with three occupants crashed into a ponderosa tree near the intersection of Center Road and Shuttle Bus Road. The driver and one passenger suffered serious injuries and were taken to the nearest trauma center; a second passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. Alcohol and marijuana were found at the scene of the accident. Rangers asked a special agent to assist in the investigation. Assistance was also provided by officers from the Coconino County Sherriff's Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety and by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Crime Laboratory. On February 15th, the driver, D.S., was indicted on one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. On September 18th, D.S. pled guilty to the first charge. Pursuant to a plea agreement the remaining two charges were dismissed. Sentencing is set for November 28th. [Christopher Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Investigative Services Branch- Central]
On Monday, October 3rd, an RV located at the park's South Entrance burned severely before firefighters were able to extinguish the flames. Subsequent investigation revealed the bodies of three persons inside the vehicle. The bodies appear to be those of an adult and two children. An investigation into the identities and cause of death of the three is currently underway and is being conducted by the National Park Service with support from the Flagstaff Fire Department, the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Evidence Response Team, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Preliminary investigation suggests the possibility of a murder-suicide and does not suggest the involvement of an unknown party. It is important to note that these findings are preliminary and that the investigation is ongoing. No identities will be made public until they have been confirmed and next of kin have been notified. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
On August 28th, rangers contacted a man hiking with his three juvenile grandsons and found reason to believe that he was physically abusing them. They asked for a special agent to assist and a joint investigation was begun. On September 20th, a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a six count indictment against C.C., 45, for knowing child abuse committed under circumstances likely to produce death or serious bodily injury. The indictment alleges that C.C. took his three grandsons, ages eight, nine and twelve, on two separate hikes in the park in August when temperatures were in excess of 100 degrees and severely limited their water and food, marched and ran them up dangerous terrain, and placed their health at risk. "The indictment alleges that the defendant repeatedly denied food and water to his grandchildren, physically abused them, and placed them in harm's way," said acting U.S. Attorney Ann Birmingham Scheel. "The children were rescued because of the quick action of park staff and concerned hikers on the same trail. Together, they prevented a tragic outcome." Conviction carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. [Christopher Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Investigative Services Branch Central]
The bodies of three people found inside of a recreational vehicle that burned at the South Entrance have been identified as those of Anthony Dehaven and his two juvenile children. Based on the evidence known to date, investigators believe Dehaven shot his two children before igniting a fire in the RV and then turning the gun on himself. It is important to note that investigators are continuing to examine all potential leads and that additional investigation is ongoing. The investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service with support from the Flagstaff Fire Department, the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Response Team, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
The Grand Canyon Field Office of the Investigative Services Branch was contacted by the Norton Shores Police Department in July and asked to assist with an investigation of a park resident for sexually abusing two boys in Michigan. A joint investigation was conducted by the ISB and NSPD, with assistance provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Polygraph Unit. As a result of the joint investigation, a nationwide extraditable warrant for the subject's arrest was issued. On October 7th, special agents and park rangers arrested the man without incident at his place of employment inside the park. If he proves unable to post a $250,000 bond, he will be extradited back to Michigan. [Christopher Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Investigative Services Branch-Central] Earlier this month, NPS special agents and rangers arrested a park resident who is wanted by a police department in Michigan for the sexual abuse of minors.
On November 2nd, rangers investigated a report of abandoned property at a campsite at Mather Campground on the South Rim. They found a tent, camping equipment and a few personal possessions in the area and began an investigation into the possibility of a missing person. They soon learned that the camper had a nationwide extraditable warrant out against him from the state of Connecticut for child exploitation. They contacted the detective in charge of the investigation in Connecticut and found that the man was also wanted for questioning regarding a series of bank robberies in California. The rangers requested assistance from the NPS Investigative Services Branch. A joint investigation was begun, ICS was put into effect, and a search for the man was launched. Rangers found him at the camper services building after he was recognized from photos used during the investigation. Rangers and special agents took him into custody without incident. If he proves unable to post the $300,000 bond, he will be extradited back to the state of Connecticut. [Christopher Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, ISB Central]
On Thursday morning, Peregrine Fund employees contacted rangers at Lees Ferry and reported unusual condor activity in the vicinity of Navajo Bridge, which spans the Colorado River five miles below Lees Ferry. Two rangers checked out the report and found the body of an unidentified man just below the bridge and about 20 feet from the water. The body was retrieved and turned over to the county medical examiner. An investigation into the cause of death is underway. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
A body found near Yaki Point has been identified as that of 41-year-old P.R. of Glenside, Pennsylvania. P.R.'s body was found on Thursday, January 12th, next to the South Kaibab Trail about a third of a mile from the trailhead, which is located near Yaki Point on the South Rim. It has been determined that P.R. died of injuries sustained in a fall. An investigation into the incident is ongoing and is being conducted by the National Park Service in cooperation with the Coconino County medical examiner. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Last month, protection rangers received information regarding the distribution of marijuana and cocaine within the park and contacted special agents with the Investigative Services Branch. A cooperative investigation was begun that eventually included an undercover operation. That resulted in two arrests and the seizure of cocaine and cash. Charges filed included drug distribution, conspiracy, child endangerment, and possession of a controlled substance. [Christopher Smith, ASAC, Investigative Services Branch - Central]
On Sunday, February 26th, 2012, park dispatch received a report that a hiker had fallen in Owl Eyes Canyon, which is located on the south side of the Colorado River across from the Tapeats Creek and Deer Creek areas. The park's helicopter was dispatched to the area and discovered the woman's body below a cliff in the Supai rock layer. Rangers then flew to the scene via helicopter, began their investigations, and prepared the body for transport. It was flown to the South Rim and turned over to the county medical examiner. The woman has been identified as 24-year-old I.E.H. of Tempe, Arizona. According to I.E.H.'s husband, she and her hiking had hiked in the area several times before, had acquired a backcountry permit from the NPS, and were carrying a satellite phone. When they missed a regular check in on Saturday evening, he was alerted that there might be a problem. On Sunday, he traveled to their designated pick-up point, where he met her hiking partner, learned of the fall, and immediately notified the park. Initial investigations indicate that the 300-foot fall was accidental. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
On August 28, 2011, rangers responded to the Bright Angel Trailhead to contact a man hiking with three children. Upon making contact with the party, the children informed rangers that their grandfather, C.C., had been depriving them of food and water and physically and verbally abusing them along the hike. Rangers learned that C.C. had taken his three grandchildren to the Colorado River and back that day, a 20-mile hike. Recorded temperatures in the shade reached 107 degrees. Rangers requested the assistance of special agents with the Investigative Services Branch. A cooperative investigation between ISB and rangers was begun and C.C. was arrested. ISB continued the investigation, working collaboratively with rangers and the United States Attorney's Office. A trial spanning three weeks began on February 15th in the US District Court in Phoenix. On Wednesday, February 29th, the jury found Christopher C.C. guilty of three counts of felony child abuse. C.C. remains in federal custody awaiting sentencing in June. [Investigative Services Branch]
Rangers in are seeking the public's assistance in locating 47-year-old S.O. of Tempe, Arizona. A search was begun for him this week after his car was found abandoned in a parking lot adjacent to the park's South Rim visitor center. In the course of their investigations, rangers determined that S.O. was last seen by his family on March 12th. S.O. is 47 years old with thinning brown hair and brown eyes. He is 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighs approximately 220 pounds, and usually wears glasses. Anyone who may have seen him or has information that might help rangers locate him is asked to call 928-638-7805. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
Rangers attempted to detain A.S. during a contact for disorderly contact on March 21st. A.S. resisted, fighting them as they attempted to arrest him. Two of the rangers were injured. While being booked, A.S. continued to be combative and bit one of the rangers attempting to subdue him. A special agent led the ensuing investigation, which culminated with an indictment returned against A.S. earlier this month for two counts of assault on a federal officer. If convicted, A.S. faces a maximum penalty on each count of eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. [Christopher Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Investigative Services Branch - Central]
Last Thursday afternoon, rangers received a report from a Peregrine Fund staffer of a possible body below the South Rim in the Mather Point area. Due to poor weather conditions and the late hour, rangers had to wait until Friday to confirm the report. They spotted the body that morning and rappelled 500 feet to the victim's location. The body was retrieved by helicopter and turned over to the county medical examiner, who tentatively identified the victim as 47-year-old S.O. of Tempe, Arizona. Rangers had been trying to find him since his car was found abandoned in a parking lot on April 16th ( HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=6122" click here for the original report). An investigation into his death is underway. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
Rangers retrieved a woman's body from below the Trail View overlook on the South Rim on Friday morning. She had been the subject of a search since early Thursday morning, when Phoenix PD contacted the park and reported that the potentially suicidal woman might be in the park. Rangers immediately began simultaneously searching for her in primary visitor areas and seeking clues to help them narrow down the search area. Shortly before 8 a.m., a bus driver reported that a woman fitting her description had gotten out of the shuttle about an hour earlier. Rangers then found her vehicle at the Bright Angel Lodge, confirming that she was likely at the west end of the village, so search efforts were concentrated in that area. Just before 11 a.m., the weather cleared enough for the park's helicopter to be launched and join the search. Fifteen minutes later, an observer in the helicopter spotted a body about 100 feet below the Trail View overlook. Rangers were dispatched to the scene to conduct an initial investigation and prepare the body for transport, but retrieval of the body had to be delayed until Friday due to poor weather conditions. An investigation into her death is being conducted. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
In December 2011, a man threatened a park protection ranger as a result of the ranger's performance of his official duties. The threat was emailed and involved the ranger being placed on suspect's "death list." The ranger contacted special agents with the Investigative Services Branch and an investigation was begun that revealed that the threat had come from G.P., who'd previously been convicted for threatening the same ranger in 2009, A criminal complaint was filed and an arrest warrant was issued, and the arrest warrant was entered into HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCIC" NCIC's wanted person files. A Coconino County deputy contacted G.P. in the early morning hours outside of Flagstaff, Arizona, for sleeping in a picnic area; when G.P.'s name was run through NCIC, the wanted person notice was discovered. G.P. was arrested on the outstanding warrant. On April 26th, G.P. pled guilty to one count of threatening a federal officer and four days later was sentenced to credit for time served in custody and one year of unsupervised probation. [Dionne K. Pegeder, Special Agent]
Rangers received information in mid-March regarding an assault on a Grand Canyon resident that resulted in serious bodily injury. ISB agents began an investigation and filed two complaints against J.B., who was also a suspect in another assault on a Grand Canyon resident. He was arrested on warrants by agents and protection rangers and pled guilty to both counts. J.B. was sentenced to 180 days in custody and two years of supervised probation and was also ordered to pay restitution to both victims. [Dionne K. Pegeder, Special Agent]
The park received a report of a man over the edge at Pipe Creek vista on the South Rim early on Tuesday afternoon. Witnesses told arriving rangers that they'd seen a man fall over the edge. They were unable to see anything from the rim, so rappelled down and found the man's body 600 feet below. The body was recovered and transferred to the county medical examiner. An investigation into the death is underway. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Last Thursday afternoon, park dispatch received a report that a woman had fallen over the edge of the South Rim at Grandview Point and that she was not responding to people calling down to her. Emergency responders determined that she had actually fallen from the Grandview Trail and began hiking down to her location. A short distance down the trail, they spotted both the woman and two other people approximately 300 feet below where she had fallen from the trail. The two other people, one a relative of the woman who fell, reported being unable to find a pulse. Rangers rappelled the remainder of the distance to their location and began CPR, but were unable to revive her. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service in cooperation with the Coconino County medical examiner. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
On the evening of Friday, August 3rd, rangers received a report that a 19-year-old hiker had sustained injuries from a rock fall that had occurred in an area of the canyon known as "The Box." The Box is located in a steep canyon approximately nine miles below the North Rim on the North Kaibab Trail. A significant thunderstorm was passing over the area when the incident occurred. The young man was brought to Phantom Ranch by the people he was hiking with. Park rangers responded and immediately began to provide medical treatment. Although a helicopter was requested, it was unable to respond until early Saturday morning due to prevailing weather condition. He was then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was admitted in critical condition. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Park dispatch received a report that a 25-year-old visitor from France had fallen from the Grandview Trail on the South Rim on the evening of September 3rd. Arriving rangers were unable to spot the man due to darkness, but he was able to respond to their calls and questions. Rescue personnel rappelled down to the man, who had fallen about 200 feet, and treated his injuries. Due to technical difficulties associated with his location, it proved necessary to raise him almost 400 feet to the rim via a rope-and-pulley haul system. He was then transported via ambulance to the park helibase, where he was picked up by a Guardian Medical Transport air ambulance and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. Approximately 22 people participated in the rescue, including park rangers, rescue personnel, members of the park's trail crew, and Xanterra South Rim fire and security personnel. Investigators have determined that the man was off-trail at the time of his accident. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
On Friday, August 31st, after approximately four weeks of investigation, rangers arrested 42-year old B.T. of Cottonwood, Arizona, for conducting commercial operations in a national park without a permit. He was arrested after he received payment to guide a multi-day backpacking trip into the canyon. B.T.'s arrest came about due to the routine monitoring of backcountry use and permitting in the park. On September 12th, B.T. appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to violating Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 5.3, engaging in business without a permit. As a result, he was ordered to pay a $200 fine and was sentenced to a year's probation, during which time he is banned from the park, cannot provide tours or guiding services (paid or unpaid) in any national park or national forest, and cannot advertise that he conducts tours or guiding services in national forests or national parks. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Park dispatch received a 911 call on Tuesday morning reporting a man unconscious on the Bright Angel Trail about two and a half miles below the rim. A park EMT responded and began CPR. Other rangers were flown in to assist. CPR was continued for about an hour, but proved to be unsuccessful. His body was flown to the South Rim helibase and transferred to the county medical examiner. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
In January 2011, the Investigative Services Branch (ISB) was contacted by members of the board of directors of the Grand Canyon Recreation Center, a not-for-profit organization operating within the confines of the park. They asked ISB to look into the possibility that the former manager of the recreation center used center funds for personal use over a period of two years. During the investigation, two federal search warrants were served and a number of items purchased with the center's funds were recovered. The amount of the theft was in excess of $40,000. On October 2nd, the former manager was charged in US District Court for the District of Arizona with theft and access device fraud. Both charges are felonies. [Investigative Services Branch]
Rangers are searching for a man who was last seen waiting to get on a commercial tour bus near Bright Angel Lodge. The man had been traveling with a companion, but failed to get on the bus on the afternoon of Saturday, October 6th. His companion reported him missing. He has been identified as 76-year-old Y.Y. of Japan. Y.Y. is 5'6" tall, weighs 150 pounds, has grey hair and brown eyes, and wears glasses. He was last seen wearing a grey, short-sleeve, button-down shirt, light brown photography vest, black pants, black tennis shoes, and a brown sun hat. Park investigators are asking anyone who may have seen Y.Y. on or since October 6th - or who might have information about his whereabouts - to call the park's Silent Witness line at 928-638-7766. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Last March, rangers responded to a tractor-trailer that was broken down in a congested area of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The driver became angry with concession employees and two rangers when they attempted to assist him with unlocking his brakes so he could drive the trailer to Phoenix. He caused a disturbance by cursing repeatedly at the employees and rangers and was ultimately detained for creating the disturbance. Soon after rangers handcuffed the driver, he began physically resisting them. He started fighting the rangers and kicked one of them when they attempted to search him for weapons. The rangers eventually had to wrestle him to the ground, where he continued to fight them. The involved rangers requested immediate backup and were supported by other rangers and ATFE and ISB agents. The driver was finally subdued and taken to the park's booking facility to be processed. At the booking facility, the driver again became combative and four officers attempted to gain control of him. During the altercation, he bit one of the officers in the webbing of his hand. The bite broke the skin, caused bruising and an avulsion of skin, and resulted in substantial bleeding. Special agents with the Investigative Services Branch were asked to lead the investigation into the multiple assaults. On September 28th, a federal jury in Prescott, Arizona, found the driver, A.K.S., 43, of Phoenix, guilty of two counts of assault on a federal officer. Each count pertained to an officer who was assaulted. A conviction for assault on a federal officer carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Sentencing is set for December 17th. [Investigative Services Branch]
On April 22, 2011, rangers apprehended a capital murder fugitive, T.B., who'd reportedly been panhandling at a scenic overlook. When rangers investigated, T.B. fled and jumped over the canyon's edge, leading to an extensive technical rescue. A joint investigation was conducted by Grand Canyon National Park, the Investigative Services Branch of the National Park Service, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Evidence Response Team, the Plano (Texas) Police Department, and the Texas Rangers. On August 23rd, two protection rangers from Grand Canyon National Park, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officer (formerly with the NPS), and a National Park Service special agent testified in the T.B. trial in McKinney, Texas. On August 30th, T.B. was found guilty of capital murder after an eight day trial. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. [Investigative Services Branch]
On the morning of Tuesday, October 9th, park dispatch received a report of a motor vehicle accident on Highway 67 just outside of the park. Rangers responded to the accident as a cooperating agency, planning to assist the Arizona Department of Public Safety. When they arrived on scene, they found the vehicle on its side approximately two-and-a-half miles south of the entrance station, well inside the park boundary. The driver, a 57-year-old Maryland woman, died at the scene; her passenger was taken to Kane County Hospital in Kanab, Utah, where he was treated for minor injuries. Preliminary indications are that the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree, causing it to roll on to its side. Both the driver and passenger were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and DPS with the assistance of the Coconino County medical examiner. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
On Saturday, December 8th, rangers recovered a body that had been spotted by the park's helicopter pilot while flying a routine mission. The body was located below the Abyss Overlook on Hermit Road (also known as the West Rim Drive). After the body was discovered, two park rangers were flown in to begin an investigation and to prepare the body for transport. At that time, the body was determined to be that of a male of undetermined age. The body was turned over to the Coconino County medical examiner. His identity is not yet known. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
On September 17th, a ranger on foot patrol in the area of the Grand Canyon Recreation Center saw two young girls, approximately three and four years old, playing in the area without adult supervision. The ranger searched the area in an effort to locate a parent or guardian, but none was found. A witness reported seeing the girls unattended before the ranger arrived on scene. The ranger called for assistance from special agents with the Investigative Services Branch and a joint investigation into child abandonment was initiated. While ISB special agents were investigating, a woman arrived on scene claiming to be the children's babysitter. The babysitter told an agent that she'd left the two young girls alone in order to walk to the park's general store, about an hour's walk away, to purchase alcohol. The babysitter was charged with two felony counts of child abuse, recklessly placing the children in a position where their health was endangered. [Investigative Services Branch]
On Saturday, January 12th, park dispatch received a call via satellite phone from a private river trip reporting that a member of their party was missing. Initial helicopter search operations were begun and rangers were flown to the scene, where it was determined that 21-year-old K.A.K. of Englewood, Colorado, had last been seen Friday night at her group's camp at river mile 134.5 near Tapeats Creek on the north side of the river. On Sunday, rangers continued their investigations and helicopter search operations while ground-based teams searched the Tapeats and Deer Creek drainages, Surprise Valley and along the Colorado River. Yesterday, based on their investigations and search efforts so far, the ground-based teams intensified their search efforts in the Tapeats Creek area. K.A.K. is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a tan knee-length coat, hiking boots, rugged tan pants, a long-sleeved grey shirt, multi-colored scarf and black knit cap. Visitors who think that they may have seen her or who have information that would aid in the park's search efforts are asked to call the Grand Canyon tip line at 928-638-7767. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
The search for 21-year-old K.K., underway since last Saturday, has been scaled back due to lack of clues as to her whereabouts. K.K. was last seen on Friday at a river camp located near Tapeats Creek on the north side of the Colorado River. Rangers used the park's helicopter to search the river corridor and area trails for two days, while ground-based teams thoroughly searched the accessible trails, beaches, drainages and backcountry areas in the vicinity. With no additional clues to guide search efforts on land, the decision was made to scale the search back to a continuous but limited mode in which rangers and pilots will continue to search for clues when in the area. Flyers with K.K.'s picture and description remain posted at popular river trip launch and takeout points, and anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is encouraged to call the park tip line at 928-638-7767. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
On December 14th, rangers responded to a call of a drunken and aggressive man at a trailer park within Grand Canyon. He had locked his significant other out of her home after he pulled her off her bed and punched her in the head. He then assaulted a Xanterra security officer after he was called to help the woman get back into her home. When rangers arrived on scene, the man became verbally and physically uncooperative and was arrested and placed in a patrol vehicle. While being loaded into the cruiser, he spit into the mouth of a ranger and threatened to return to the park to kill the rangers and their families. Agents from the Investigative Services Branch opened a joint investigation into the incident with rangers. The next day a criminal complaint was filed by an ISB special agent with the U.S. magistrate's court in Flagstaff. The criminal complaint charged the man with three felonies and five misdemeanors. Last month, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a period of incarceration, supervised release, and a number of other conditions. [Investigative Services Branch]
In October 2012, a couple attempted to take their eight-month-old daughter from the rim of the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River and back to the rim in one day - a hike strongly discouraged by the NPS. They were unprepared for the hike and therefore resorted to eating the baby's food along the way. On the hike out of the canyon, they could no longer carry the baby due to exhaustion, so gave the child to a hiker who was a stranger but had offered to help. When the hiker reached the South Rim - without the family - he immediately went to the Bright Angel Lodge and requested law enforcement assistance. Upon reaching the rim, the family of three flagged down a shuttle bus and reported that their baby had been kidnapped. Rangers responded and called for assistance from the Investigative Services Branch. A joint investigation was conducted by rangers from the South Rim and Canyon Districts, ISB agents, and personnel from Arizona Child Protective Services. The baby was placed in the protective care of CPS and each parent was charged with a felony count of child abuse, recklessly placing a child in a position where its health was endangered. Both parents ultimately pled guilty in court to Arizona Revised Statute 13-3619, permitting life, health, or morals of minor to be imperiled by neglect, abuse, or immoral associations - a Class 1 misdemeanor. [Investigative Services Branch]
On March 9, 2011, a special agent with the Investigative Services Branch received a cyber tip report from a Phoenix Police Department detective that had been forwarded from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip alleged inappropriate sexually explicit communications via internet between an adult Grand Canyon resident and an underage male. ISB agents launched an investigation into the communications, which ultimately led to a confession by the suspect. He was indicted by a grand jury last month and an arrest warrant was issued. An ISB agent working with rangers arrested the man on two felony counts of luring a minor for sexual exploitation. [Investigative Services Branch]
Late on the evening of Sunday, February 24th, a small SUV was traveling west over Memorial Bridge towards Virginia when for unknown reasons it crossed over several lanes and struck the barrier on the bridge's south side, breaking through and plunging approximately 50 feet into the Potomac River. The operator was able to swim to the shoreline and only sustained minor injuries. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The investigation into the crash is ongoing and charges are pending. [Sergeant Paul Brooks, Public Information Officer]
The Arizona Department of Public Safety contacted the park on Monday afternoon and advised that a man might be on his way to the park with the intent of harming himself. With no information available to narrow the search, rangers began looking for the man or his vehicle throughout the South Rim from Hermits Rest through Grand Canyon Village and out to Desert View. Around 5:30 p.m., rangers spotted what appeared to be a body about 400 feet below the rim a few miles east of Duck on a Rock on Desert View Drive. The body was recovered and transferred to the Coconino County medical examiner. An investigation into the incident is being conducted. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
In January 2011, the Investigative Services Branch was contacted by members of the board of directors of the Grand Canyon Recreation Center, a not for profit organization operating within the confines of Grand Canyon National Park. They suspected that the former manager of the recreation center had employed center funds for personal use over a period of two years. During the investigation, two federal search warrants were served and a number of items purchased with the center's funds were recovered. In February, C.B., the former manager, pled guilty in US District Court for the District of Arizona to one charge of theft. She was sentenced to five years' probation and restitution in the amount of $41,342.51. [Investigative Services Branch]
Park dispatch received a satellite phone call last Thursday afternoon from a private river trip reporting the discovery of a woman's body near Tuckup Canyon. Due to pending darkness, rangers were unable to fly to the scene until the following morning. The body was then flown to the rim and turned over to the county medical examiner. The woman's name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The park and medical examiner's office are conducting a joint investigation into the death. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
The body of a woman recovered from the Colorado River on March 22nd has been identified as that of K.A.K., who was last seen on the evening of January 11th at a river camp located near Tapeats Creek on the north side of the Colorado River (click on these links for the HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=6512" initial and HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=6513" follow-up reports that appeared in January). On Thursday, March 21st, a private river trip reported finding a woman's body in the river at about river mile 165. The next day, the body was transported to the rim by helicopter and transferred to the Coconino County medical examiner's office. Late last week, that office confirmed that the body was that of 21-year old K.A.K. of Englewood, Colorado. The National Park Service is continuing its investigation into K.A.K.'s death in coordination with the medical examiner. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Late in the day on Tuesday, June 4th, visitors found a 29-year-old man in severe distress on the North Kaibab Trail. The hiker reportedly drank large amounts of water, but had eaten very little food. This, coupled with the expected increased perspiration while hiking in hot temperatures, lead rangers to believe this visitor was suffering from a potentially life-threatening condition due to low blood sodium levels known as HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyponatremia" hyponatremia. Responding via helicopter, ranger/medic Brian Bloom utilized a portable blood chemistry instrument (iStat) to confirm his suspicions and begin appropriate field treatment. Due to the serious nature of the man's condition and the lack of nearby landing zones, he was helicopter short-hauled with Bloom from switchbacks in the Redwall to the North Rim helibase. He was then placed inside the helicopter, flown to the South Rim, and taken from there to Flagstaff Medical Center. Heis expected to recover. [Brandon Torres, Branch Chief of Emergency Services]
Park dispatch received a call from the emergency phone at Phantom Ranch boat beach on Sunday afternoon with a report of an unconscious hiker about three quarters of a mile above Phantom Ranch on the South Kaibab Trail. Park rangers responding from the Phantom Ranch ranger station began CPR upon arrival, but efforts to revive her were unsuccessful. The body was flown out and transferred to the county medical examiner. The woman was in a group of five people who were on the first day of a permitted multi-day backcountry hike. The South Kaibab is a steep, exposed trail, and the high temperature at Phantom Ranch that afternoon was 113 degrees. An investigation into the cause of her death is underway. [Vanya Pryputniewicz, Public Affairs Specialist]
A lightning strike near Mather Point resulted in several visitors reporting injuries to the Grand Canyon Visitors Center early on the afternoon of July 15th. The visitors were standing near the rim when the lightning strike occurred. Four of them were transported to the South Rim Clinic for evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries. This incident is a reminder that summer storms in the southwest are often accompanied by dangerous lightning. Serious injuries and fatalities have occurred at Grand Canyon National Park in the past as a result of lightning strikes. Visitors to the park were reminded that if the sound of thunder follows a lightning flash within 30 seconds or less, they should seek shelter in a building or vehicle or proceed to the nearest bus stop to get on a park shuttle. Park rangers also advised that lightning can strike 10 miles across the canyon. [Public Affairs Office]
Park dispatch received a report of a river guide requiring medical attention due to injuries associated with a lightning strike just after 9 p.m. on the evening of July 21st. The guide, who worked for Arizona Raft Adventures, was with a group camped along the river. He was airlifted by an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter and flown to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas for treatment. [Public Affairs Office]
Monsoonal weather patterns brought heavy rains that resulted in localized flooding affecting portions of Grand Canyon Village and Bright Angel Trail last Friday. Runoff impacted park headquarters and the general offices for Xanterra Parks and Resorts, the park's concessioner, and flood debris had to be cleared from storm drains at the intersection of South Entrance Road and Village Loop Drive to make them passable. Canyon District rangers reported flash flooding in Garden Creek along Bright Angel Trail. Rangers temporarily closed sections of the trail near Indian Garden until flows subsided in the creek. No injuries were reported. [Public Affairs Office]
A park volunteer reported finding an unconscious hiker on the North Kaibab Trail about a half mile below the trailhead early on the afternoon of Friday, August 9th. The volunteer began CPR, which was continued by rangers when they arrived on scene. An AED was also employed, but without success. The man was identified as B.H.P., 63, of Precy-Sur-Oise, France. He was in a group of five people who had hiked to Eye of the Needle, which is about two miles below the rim. Three of the others in the group continued on past Eye of the Needle, but B.H.P. and his wife decided to return to the trailhead after breaking for lunch. The temperature along the rim was approximately 73 degrees and the inner canyon temperature was approximately 83 degrees at the time. An investigation into the incident is being conducted and an autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of death. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Specialist]
On the evening of May 11th, dispatch received a report of ongoing physical abuse of a child. Responding rangers located the victim, who reported prolonged physical abuse by a guardian. The victim had numerous marks and bruises in various stages of healing which can be indicative of ongoing physical abuse. Both the victim and guardian were residents in the park. Responding rangers recognized this as a possible child abuse investigation and immediately requested the assistance of the Investigative Services Branch on-call special agent. A joint investigation was begun, and the victim was transported via ambulance to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. The guardian was ultimately arrested. In July, pursuant to a plea agreement, the guardian pled guilty in federal court to two counts of child endangerment. [Investigative Services Branch]
On July 30th, park resident E.J. was arrested in by Investigative Services Branch agents pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by the Superior Court of Arizona. Following an on-going investigation by ISB, E.J. was indicted on felony charges of two counts of sexual conduct with a minor. E.J. and the minor victim were both residents in the park when the sexual conduct occurred. [Investigative Services Branch]
On the evening of October 27th, a 19-year-old man was playing a pickup basketball game with his friends at Grand Canyon High School. After an hour of scrimmaging, he sat down to rest and fuel up, eating from a package of trail mix. He'd eaten this same mix of various nuts a week before and displayed minor symptoms of an allergic reaction (scratchy throat and minor swelling), but this time was different - within less than two minutes, he had difficulty breathing, felt dizzy and developed severe facial edema. NPS paramedics arrived to find him calm and alert but without palpable pulse or blood pressure. His extremities were cold and his skin was pale, cool and diaphoretic. The paramedics administered a third of a milligram of 1:1,000 IM epinephrine and a host of other ALS medications. He was then taken 80 miles by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center. All emergent symptoms resolved within 20 minutes of the call, although the facial swelling persisted during the entire two hour transport to the hospital. He was subsequently prescribed an EPI pen as a result of this event. Other than the mild allergic reaction the previous week, he'd never previously experienced anaphylactic shock. On November 13th, President Obama signed a bill that gives financial incentives to states to stock emergency medications in schools that could save lives in cases of allergic reactions such as this one. [Brandon Torres, Branch Chief of Emergency Services]
On March 9, 2011, a special agent with the Investigative Services Branch received a HYPERLINK "http://www.missingkids.com/cybertipline/" Cyber Tipline report from a Phoenix Police Department detective. The tip was generated by the HYPERLINK "http://www.missingkids.com/home" National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and alleged sexually explicit internet communications between an adult Grand Canyon resident and an underage male. The original report was taken by the Navy Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) before being transferred to ISB. ISB agents launched an investigation into the communications, which ultimately lead to a confession by the suspect, who managed Phantom Ranch for Xanterra, the park's concessioner. The man admitted to having inappropriate online sexual communications in which he offered to perform sexual acts with the minor. The online communications were sent from both Phantom Ranch and the South Rim of Grand Canyon. The man was indicted on two felony counts of luring a minor for sexual exploitation by a grand jury in Coconino County, Arizona, and an arrest warrant was issued. Grand Canyon rangers, working with an ISB agent, arrested the suspect on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. While being held in the park's booking facility, he attempted to commit suicide and was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center by park ambulance. The man was subsequently released from the hospital and posted a $92,000 bail with Coconino County. He underwent a psychosexual evaluation which indicated that he tried to deceive test facilitators on both his attraction to underage males and the existence of other victims. On December 18th, the man pled guilty to the two felony charges. His sentencing hearing will be on January 28th. He will receive lifetime supervised probation, lifetime sex offender registration status, and up to three years and nine months in prison. ISB would like to thank NCIS, the Phoenix Police Department, NCMEC, and the South Rim and Canyon Districts of Grand Canyon National Park for their assistance in this successful prosecution. [Investigative Services Branch]
On Friday, January 31st, a park employee called dispatch and reported an accident involving a car and a pickup truck on the South Entrance Road about three miles north of the entrance station. A 24-year-old woman who was sitting in the back seat of the car suffered fatal injuries; the driver and front seat passenger suffered non-critical injuries and were taken to Flagstaff Medical Center. The driver and passenger in the pickup were not injured. A winter storm that was producing sleet and snow prior to and during the accident may have been a contributing factor. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service in coordination with the Coconino County medical examiner and an autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of death. [Brandon Torres, Branch Chief of Emergency Services]
On Friday January 24th, a 41-year-old physician from Calgary, Canada, died while HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingsuit_flying" wing suit jumping off Navajo Nation-managed lands and into the park north of the Little Colorado River. The Coconino County Sheriff's Office and Grand Canyon National Park rangers are investigating the incident. HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASE_jumping" BASE jumping and like activities are prohibited within both the Navajo Nation and the park. HYPERLINK "http://grandcanyonnews.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=10745" Click here for a related article from The Grand Canyon News. [Brandon Torres, Branch Chief of Emergency Services]
On Saturday, January 25th, an ailing 66-year-old visitor died at Flagstaff Medical Center despite being revived several times by park EMS personnel and by center medical staff. The man reportedly began having difficulty breathing while visiting a viewpoint along the South Rim. His family drove him into the South Rim Village and requested assistance through 911. Within moments of EMS arriving on scene, the man stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. NPS medical personnel were able to twice revive him before flying him to Flagstaff Medical Center in the park's helicopter. He again went into cardiac arrest as the helicopter landed at the hospital and was again successfully revived. Unfortunately, his condition was such that his heart stopped several times while in the center's emergency department; despite the best efforts of all involved, he died while cardiologists were attempting to repair his heart. [Brandon Torres; Branch Chief of Emergency Services]
Rangers recently recovered skeletal remains from the Hermit Creek drainage within Grand Canyon National Park. The remains have been confirmed by the Coconino County Medical Examiner as human. These remains, which were found in an area with abandoned camping gear nearby, may be associated with the 2010 disappearance of a man from Tucson. DNA testing is being conducted to positively identify the remains. An investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Specialist]
Additional information has been received on the discovery of human remains in the Hermit Creek drainage, reported in last Friday's edition. On September 4, 2013, a river ranger was given a wallet found at Hermit Rapids by a visitor on a private river trip on the Colorado River. The wallet, which was badly weathered, contained an Arizona identification card. The person associated with the wallet, who was from the Tucson area, was determined to have been missing since 2010. A joint investigation was begun that involved rangers, ISB investigators, and personnel from the Tucson Police Department. The man was homeless and a transient, so little information was available to guide investigators, but ISB did located a record of the man having taken a shuttle from Flagstaff to Williams six days before being reported missing in 2010. A DNA sample was also obtained from the missing man's brother in Washington and sent to the University of North Texas to be kept on file as a reference. Searches of the Hermit Creek drainage were made in an attempt to find clues, but with negative results. On February 17th, a backpacker found several items in a small side canyon off of Hermit Creek. The items included a weathered backpack, a boot insole, grocery bags, and what he believed to be a long human bone. He reported the items to park rangers the next day. On February 20th, an ISB special agent, a helicopter flight crew, and two Canyon District rangers searched the area and found 28 pieces of evidence, including nine bones. On February 21st, ISB took the bones to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office, where three of the nine bones were positively identified as human by an anthropologist. The anthropologist estimated the height of the subject as 6'1", which matched the description of the missing man. Final DNA confirmation of the subject's identify will be made by the Coconino County Medical Examiner and the University of North Texas but primary investigation indicates the remains may be those of the missing Tucson resident. [Investigative Services Branch]
Park dispatch received a report that a man had fallen off the South Rim near El Tovar Lodge around 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 15th. Rangers Peter Maggio and C.J. Malcolm rappelled approximately 350 feet down to his location and attempted to resuscitate the 53-year-old Texas man, but their efforts were unsuccessful. His body was flown from the scene via helicopter short haul. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. Ranger Edward Foss served as the incident commander. [Brandon Torres, Branch Chief of Emergency Services]
On the evening of Tuesday, March 18th, park dispatch received a call via satellite phone reporting a fatality on the Colorado River. The victim, a 31-year-old man, was part of a private river trip of nine self-supported kayakers nearing the end of a 12 day river trip. C.J. of Portland, Oregon, was discovered capsized and unresponsive in his kayak near river mile 189, also known as the Lower Whitmore Camp. Members of the group attempted CPR, but all attempts to resuscitate C.J. were unsuccessful. Due to the time of day and approaching darkness, rangers were not able to fly into canyon until Wednesday morning, when they recovered the body. An investigation in the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Acting Public Affairs Officer]
During the morning of April 21st, one of the 37-foot rafts being used on a commercial river trip got caught on rocks in Badger Rapids. River guides worked unsuccessfully for several hours to free the stuck raft before requesting assistance around 4 p.m. Given the potentially dangerous situation of the raft coming off the rocks in the middle of the night due to fluctuating river levels, Grand Canyon's helicopter crew removed ten people from the raft via helicopter short-haul. Later that night, with additional resources and reduced weight on the raft, guides were able to free the vessel. Badger Rapids is the first set of rapids on the Colorado River. They're located approximately eight miles downstream from the launch site at Lee's Ferry. Ranger Cori Conner served and the incident commander. A short NPS video of the rescue operation can be viewed at HYPERLINK "http://youtu.be/3S_uIg1d7k0" http://youtu.be/3S_uIg1d7k0. [Brandon Torres, Branch Chief of Emergency Services]
Park dispatch received a report early yesterday afternoon that someone had fallen off the rim at Mather Point on the South Rim. The park helitack crew located the body about 400 feet below the rim. Recovery operations were underway at the time of the report. Mather Point was closed to the public and was to remain closed until further notice. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Officer]
An accident involving a car, a 20-passenger tour bus and a mini-van occurred early yesterday afternoon at Pipe Creek Overlook on East Rim Drive. Nine people were injured. Park dispatch received the call just before 2 p.m. Responding emergency personnel treated and transported eight visitors by ambulance; a ninth was flown to Flagstaff Medical Center by a Guardian Air helicopter. All three of the vehicles were damaged, as were two parked cars. East Rim Drive was closed while emergency responders cared for the injured and cleared the roadway of vehicles. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Officer]
On the evening of Wednesday, June 3rd, park dispatch received a satellite phone call reporting that a 54-year-old woman on a river trip was slipping in and out of conscious, apparently due to an allergic reaction. She eventually became unconscious, and members of the group began administering CPR. Arizona Department of Public Safety personnel responded by helicopter and provided life support, but efforts to revive the woman proved unsuccessful. The group was on the fifth day of a seven-day commercial river trip. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County medical examiner. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski]
On the afternoon of Friday, June 27th, the park received a satellite phone call from a commercial river trip reporting a missing passenger at Havasu Rapids. V.T. of Phoenix reportedly fell from a ledge into the river in mid-afternoon. V.T. was not wearing a personal flotation device at the time and was last seen by members of his party below Havasu Rapids. Searches have been conducted by air and boat, but no sign of V.T. has so far been found. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Officer]
Park dispatch received a report late last Sunday morning of CPR in progress on a park visitor just above Three-Mile Rest House on the Bright Angel Trail. Bystanders began CPR and were soon assisted by park personnel who responded from up trail. The park's helicopter was diverted from another medical call at Indian Gardens and arrived soon thereafter. Personnel onboard provided advanced life support resuscitation, but efforts to save the 62-year-old man proved unavailing. The man was hiking out the canyon after completing a commercial river trip. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the park and county medical examiner. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Officer]
On June 4th, a 66-year-old man waiting for a shuttle bus near the South Rim Visitor Center suddenly collapsed. While family and visitors began CPR, others ran into the visitor center to get help. Interpretive Ranger Robb Hannawacker responded with an AED and other EMS supplies, resulting in one shock applied prior the arrival of EMS staff. While the initial shock seemed to revive the man, his condition soon deteriorated. Following 30 minutes of advanced cardiac life support treatment, including several more shocks and rounds of drugs, he was deemed stable enough to transport and survived the incident. Earlier in the day, rangers worked an unsuccessful resuscitation for a 55-year-old woman with a significant medical history in one of the South Rim hotel rooms. Rangers also conducted two helicopter medevac missions for visitors in remote areas of the canyon, completed an investigation and body recovery of a previously reported nut allergy fatality on a commercial river trip, and facilitated all-day skill stations and leadership activities for 36 teenagers enrolled in the Arizona Leadership Education and Development Academy, a challenging youth program sponsored by the Arizona Chapter of the FBI National Academy. [Brandon Torres, Branch Chief of Emergency Services]
On the afternoon of July 11th, park dispatch received a 911 call from a visitor reporting CPR in progress on a male hiker on the North Kaibab Trail about a half mile down from the trailhead. Responding park personnel continued CPR, but all efforts to resuscitate the 47-year-old Ohio man were unsuccessful. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service in coordination with the Coconino County medical examiner. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Specialist]
On October 19, 2013, rangers in the backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park became suspicious of the large number of hikers attempting to hike from the North Rim to the South Rim in a single day (known as a "Rim to Rim" hike). The hikers claimed to be hiking only with a small number of friends and not as part of a large group, but many appeared to be avoiding contact with rangers and they all described similar travel arrangements. Subsequent investigations revealed that S.B. of Phoenix, Arizona, had chartered five buses to transport nearly 300 people to Grand Canyon National Park to hike across the canyon. S.B. advertised the hike as the "23rd Annual" trip of a similar nature and charged each participant a set fee. Investigations also revealed that he had specifically instructed each hiker, both verbally and in a written itinerary, to tell rangers that they were "not with a group of 300," that they were with a small group and had been transported by car or van. The large number of hikers in the canyon that day caused impacts to vegetation and created long lines at the Phantom Ranch canteen and restroom facilities. The Phantom wastewater treatment operator reported that the sewage treatment plant was operating at capacity. Rangers took complaints from hikers who complained about congestion on the trails. Several minor medicals and search and rescue operations were also attributed to S.B.'s group. During interviews, S.B. claimed that his trip was "organized" but not commercial, and that he had not profited. In January 2013, rangers served a search warrant on an online event registration website that S.B. had used to solicit trip participants and collect fees. The evidence gathered from the search warrant was used to develop probable cause to charge S.B. with engaging in an illegal business operation (36 CFR 5.3) and making false statements (18 USC 1001(a)(2)). Rangers estimated that S.B.'s gross income for this event was over $47,000, and he profited by approximately $9,500. On June 10th, S.B. was convicted on one count of engaging in business operations without obtaining a permit in violation of 36 CFR 5.3. Pursuant to a plea agreement, he was sentenced to a year of probation, during which time he is banned from Grand Canyon National Park and from conducting or advertising for any tours or guided trips on national park or national forest lands. He was also fined $500 and ordered to serve 50 hours of community service. S.B. has since formally notified all trip participants that he will no longer be conducting his annual trip, and has pledged to donate $2,000 to Grand Canyon National Park. The investigation was led by rangers and conducted with the assistance of Investigative Services Branch special agents. [Debbie Brenchley, Canyon District Supervisor]
Over the past few years, special agents with the Investigative Services Branch have conducted an investigation into the repeated sexual abuse of a minor that occurred within Grand Canyon National Park between June 2004 and July 2006. It took several years to bring the investigation to a conclusion. On August 15, 2013, former park concession employee R.E.G., 47, of Daytona Beach, Florida, was indicted by Coconino County and charged with one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child and seven counts of sexual conduct with a minor. On July 8th, R.E.G. pleaded guilty to one count (amended) of attempted molestation of a child and one count (amended) of attempted sexual conduct with a minor. He was sentenced in the Superior Court of the State of Arizona to 15 years in state prison, lifetime probation and lifetime sex offender registration. [Investigative Services Branch]
Visitor M.B., 36, was reported missing by a member of his family on the evening pf Saturday, August 2nd. He was last seen that afternoon hiking along the South Rim west of Grandview Point in the vicinity of Highway 64. M.B. is described as 5'9', 175 pounds, with brown hair. Search efforts are currently underway and the park is conducting an investigation into the his whereabouts. Visitors who may have any information regarding his whereabouts are asked to contact Grand Canyon National Park Silent Witness Program at 928-638-7767. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Officer]
On September 27, 2010, Investigative Services Branch special agents began an investigation into possible sexual conduct between a 21-year-old man and a 14-year-old girl residing in the park. On July 30, 2013, the man was arrested by agents and was subsequently indicted on two felony counts of sexual conduct with a minor. On June 12th of this year, the man pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, a felony. He was sentenced to serve six months in prison and upon his release will serve three years of probation. [Investigative Services Branch]
On Wednesday, August 6th, searchers found a body several hundred feet below the rim of the canyon at a location where a visitor was last seen on August 2nd. A search was begun that day for M.B., 36, who was last seen hiking along the South Rim west of Grandview Point. The body was recovered Thursday morning and turned over to the county medical examiner for positive identification. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Officer] Hot Springs NP Rangers Stephen Dale and Ryan Howell were spared serious injury last Friday night when an 80-year-old oak tree came crashing down on their cruiser as they patrolled the Gulpha Gorge area of the park. Due to the amount of damage to the recently-acquired Interceptor SUV, the only way out of the vehicle was for the passenger to climb out of the driver's side door. Other than having glass on them, neither was injured. The patrol vehicle received extensive damage. [John Hughes, Chief Ranger]
On August 20th, a 22-year-old visitor from California fell off the South Rim near the Hopi House Gift Shop, suffering non-life threatening injuries. The man, who reportedly suffers from a seizure disorder, experienced a seizure while walking near the edge. Fortunately, his fall was arrested when his leg wedged in the crook of a tree limb, limiting the distance he fell to about 20 vertical feet. The man's father immediately climbed over a small rock wall on the edge and down into the trees his son was stuck in. Rescuers were able to extricate the father without ropes, but the son's injuries required full immobilization and a vertical technical rescue. [Brandon Torres, Branch Chief of Emergency Services]
Just after sunset on August 18th, a woman camping along the Colorado River with a commercial river trip was bitten twice - once in each hand - by a small rattlesnake. The woman was reportedly attempting to pick the snake up when the incident occurred. Thunderstorms in the area prevented a helicopter response until after midnight. An Arizona DPS Rescue flight crew out of Flagstaff using night vision goggles successfully flew the woman out of the canyon to Flagstaff Medical Center, where she was admitted for several days while receiving anti-venom treatment. Rattlesnake bite incidents requiring anti-venom administration are very rare at the Grand Canyon. [Brandon Torres, Branch Chief of Emergency Services]
On the afternoon of Friday, September 19th, park dispatch received a 911 call from a visitor reporting that a hiker had fallen and was having trouble breathing. Park rangers responded by helicopter and found the man about a half mile below Ribbon Falls on the North Kaibab Trail. A park EMT and two medics were inserted and assisted with CPR, which was already in progress. All efforts to resuscitate the man proved unsuccessful. M.S., 46, of Valparaiso, Indiana, had been on a rim-to-rim extended day hike with his two brothers when he collapsed. Witnesses, who began CPR, reported an immediate loss of consciousness from which he never recovered. CPR efforts continued for over an hour before he was pronounced dead. His body was flown to the South Rim and then transported to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office in Flagstaff for an autopsy. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
Rangers and flight crews were kept busy on Wednesday September 24th, as seven people were evacuated from the canyon via helicopter in seven separate incidents: A 53-year-old woman on a private river trip with cardiac problems was evacuated from the National Canyon area. A 69-year-old woman on a commercial river trip who'd suffered a femur fracture was short-hauled via helicopter from Havasu Creek to a landing zone near the Colorado River for evacuation to the South Rim. A 33-year-old man from a private river trip was evacuated from the mouth of Havasu Creek after suffering a serious laceration in the groin area. A 43-year-old female backpacker with an acute abdomen (appendicitis) was evacuated from Phantom Ranch. A 29-year-old man with cardiac issues was extracted from the North Rim developed area. A 52-year-old male backpacker with a leg injury was evacuated from the Nankoweap area. A 51-year-old woman on a commercial river trip with a knee injury was evacuated from the Nankoweap area. In addition to the medevacs, there were several other incidents, including: a flipped and stuck raft below Crystal Rapids that necessitated four rangers and two sling loads of equipment flown in to begin a two-day recovery operation; a warrant/intoxication arrest in the South Rim developed area; an intoxicated and possibly suicidal person approximately a mile and a half down the Bright Angel Trail; and a HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyponatremia" hyponatremic 65-year-old woman treated and transported via NPS ambulance from the South Rim after attempting to hike rim to rim in a day. Rangers Abby Confer and Peter Maggio served as the incident commanders for the majority of these incidents. [Brandon Torres, Branch Chief of Emergency Services]
On April 2, 2012, law enforcement rangers and emergency medical personnel responded to a single vehicle rollover accident on the South Entrance Road. Upon arrival, rangers discovered a two-year-old boy in the woods who'd been ejected from the vehicle. The driver was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. Both were transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of injuries relating to the accident. The rangers contacted a special agent with the Investigative Services Branch and a joint investigation was begun. A federal search warrant was served and multiple interviews were conducted. On July 24th, V.L.J. Sr. was convicted of aggravated DUI and attempted child abuse. He was sentenced to 54 months imprisonment for each offense (concurrent) and ordered to pay various fines and restitution up to $10,000 to the boy and his family. [Investigative Services Branch]
The National Park Service is investigating reports of vandalism - acrylic painting on rocks - in at least ten national parks in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Utah. Details are not yet available because the case is under investigation, but the vandalism is believed to have occurred in the following parks (asterisks indicate that confirmation is pending at a particular area) - Grand Canyon*, Yosemite, Death Valley, Sequoia-Kings Canyon*, Joshua Tree*, Rocky Mountain*, Crater Lake, Bryce Canyon*, Zion and Canyonlands. Said a Washington Office spokesperson: "There are forums for artistic expression in national parks because national parks inspire artistic creativity. These images are outside that forum and outside the law." The link below is to a representative media report on the investigation. HYPERLINK "http://gazette.com/vandalism-investigated-at-10-national-parks-including-rocky-mountain-national-park/article/1540003"
Around 2 a.m. on March 12th, rangers responded to large party in a park housing area. One of those contacted was a 40-year-old park resident who was under the influence of alcohol at the time. A ranger attempted to arrest him, but he resisted and a physical confrontation ensued. Rangers subsequently contacted a special agent with the Investigative Services Branch. A joint investigation was begun by the agent and rangers. On October 6th, D.A.N. pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer. He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment and a year of supervised probation upon his release. [Investigative Services Branch]
Park dispatch received a call on Monday reporting that a 21-year-old Texas man who was last known to be at the South Rim was missing. D.K. of San Antonio, who was reported missing by a family member, was a guest at Bright Angel Lodge on the evening of Saturday, January 31st, and checked out on Sunday. D.K. is 5'7" tall, weighs 140 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. A search for him is currently underway in the park; a missing person investigation is also being conducted. Anyone with information on his location should call the National Park Service Silent Witness Line at 928-638-7840. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Officer]
Search and rescue crews continue to look for D.K., 21, of San Antonio, Texas, who was reported missing by family this past Monday. More than 40 National Park Service personnel are assigned to the search for D.K.. Over the past several days, search teams have walked dozens of miles along the rim of the canyon, traversed the edge of canyon walls, and in some instances completed technical rappelling searches over the edge. Search and rescue crews continue to make use of the park helicopter to provide additional search coverage from the air. D.K. was reported missing on February 2nd. His last known location was at the Bright Angel Lodge on the South Rim. He checked out on the morning of February 1st. He is 5'7" tall, weighs 140 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. Although searchers don't know what he was last wearing, it's known that he favors dark-colored clothing and typically wears a backwards baseball hat or a bandanna. Anyone who may have had contact with or has information D.K's location should contact the National Park Service Silent Witness Line at 928-638-7840. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Officer]
The search for a missing 21-year-old Texas man has been scaled back due to a lack of clues as to his whereabouts. D.K., 21, was last seen near Bright Angel Lodge on the South Rim on Sunday, February 1st. He was reported as missing by members of his family on Monday. A six-day search for him ensued, but failed to turn up any evidence as to where he might be. Rangers searched the South Rim developed area from Hermit's Rest on the west side to Grandview on the east. Teams of searchers walked miles along the canyon rim, searched heavily forested areas, utilized dog teams, performed several over-the-rim technical searches, and conducted multiple aerial reconnaissance missions to support ground searchers. With no additional clues to guide search efforts on land, the search will be scaled back to a continuous but limited mode in which rangers and pilots will continue to search for clues when in the area. Flyers with D.K.'s picture and description also remain posted at various South Rim locations. Anyone who may have information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to call the National Park Service Silent Witness Line at 928-638-7840. A photo of D.K. may be found on a previous park news release at this link: HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/expand-kramer-search.htm". [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Officer]
Early on the afternoon of Thursday, February 12th, park dispatch received a broken 911 call reporting the discovery of a man's body in the vicinity of Ribbon Falls near the North Kaibab Trail. Ranger medics responded by helicopter. The victim was found to be a 73-year-old man who was day hiking from Phantom Ranch to Ribbon Falls with several companions. He'd collapsed shortly after reaching the falls. Bystanders began CPR while another visitor hiked to a place on the trail where limited cell service was available. When park medics arrived, the man had been down for about 90 minutes. They pronounced him dead. The man's body and his companions were flown to the South Rim. The body was then transported to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office in Flagstaff. [Public Affairs Office]
On Sunday, March 15th, the Tusayan Fire Department asked the park for mutual aid assistance for a working structural fire at the Canyon Plaza Resort. The town of Tusayan is a gateway community located near the park's south entrance. The initial scene size-up by a two-person crew from Tusayan FD reported visible flames and smoke from the second floor of a three-story hotel building. The heating/air conditioning unit for the involved room had overheated and caught fire. Firefighters conducted a primary search of the building and found only partial evacuation of guests, heavy smoke on the second floor, and sprinkler activation in the fire room. With the help of hotel maintenance staff, Tusayan firefighters were able to knock down the flames coming from the heating/air conditioning unit with an exterior attack. NPS units arrived on scene and conducted an interior search and evacuation of the building. NPS units also conducted overhaul and checked for any extension of the fire. One hotel maintenance worker suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation attempting to fight the fire with a portable fire extinguisher. [David Van Inwagen, Fire Chief]
A visitor from Las Vegas fell to his death from the South Rim on the afternoon of Thursday, April 30th. Park dispatch received a report that a man had fallen from the edge of the Rim Trail east of Mather Point around 4:20 p.m. A hasty search was begun, but searchers were unable to find the man. His body was spotted about 400 feet below the rim from a park helicopter. The body of the victim, identified as J.C.-S., 29, was recovered the following day. J.C.-S. was visiting the park with his family. The fall has been ruled accidental, but the incident remains under investigation. [Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Officer]
On Monday, May 11th, the police department in Tallmadge, Ohio, contacted park dispatch and advised that a man missing from that town was believed to be suicidal and at the park. Rangers were able to locate his vehicle at the Bright Angel Lodge and were able to trace the man to the Abyss on West Rim/Hermit's Rest Drive based on information provided by investigators in Ohio. Rangers contacted the man and over the course of three-hours were able to safely move him away from the rim. He was then taken to the Flagstaff Area Medical Center for evaluation. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Tallmadge Police Department. [Public Affairs Office]
Members of a private boating trip reported the wreckage of an airplane to park rangers at Diamond Creek on May 20th. The boaters informed the rangers that they found the plane with human remains inside during a hike near Emerald Canyon. Inclement weather prevented rangers from responding to the scene via helicopter until this past Sunday. They first recovered the remains, which await identification from the Coconino County medical examiner, then packaged the plane in a sling load and recovered it using a long line. The wreckage matches the description of an airplane that disappeared in 2011. That plane, a red RV6 homebuilt experimental aircraft, was last seen at Grand Canyon Airport around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 11, 2011. The NPS used both an airplane and a helicopter in search efforts at that time, covering 2,000 air miles over a 600-square-mile search area. Civil Air Patrol's Nevada Wing, Coconino County Sheriff's Office and the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center assisted in that search. Search activities continued on a limited basis after April 1, 2011. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident. [Public Affairs Office]
On February 3, 2014, the Investigative Services Branch's Grand Canyon Field Office began a joint investigation with park law enforcement rangers concerning possible sexual conduct between a 27-year-old Grand Canyon School teacher and a student residing within Grand Canyon National Park. On October 2, 2014, N.B. was indicted by Coconino County and charged with sixteen counts of sexual conduct with a minor. On May 19, 2015, she pleaded guilty to two felony counts of sexual conduct with a minor. She was sentenced in state superior court to six months in jail, lifetime sex offender registration, and three years of supervised probation upon release. [Investigative Services Branch]
A search is underway for 22-year-old M.H., a river guide for Tour West, who's been missing since Tuesday. M.H. was reported missing by a member of the river trip he was guiding following a hike near Pumpkin Springs. The group was on the sixth day of an eight-day trip when the incident occurred. Three ground teams and a river team searched for him yesterday. The teams were dealing with heat, thick stands of tamarisk, boulders, and difficult terrain, as well as deep water with a strong current. No signs of Hemier have yet been found. M.H. is six feet tall and has blond hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark-colored Astral personal flotation device, a blue plaid long sleeve shirt, a pair of Chaco sandals, a maroon baseball cap, and brightly colored shorts. He was also carrying a purple water bottle with him when he was last seen. In addition to the search and rescue operation, the National Park Service is also conducting a missing persons investigation. Anyone with information on his location should contact the National Park Service Tipline at 928-638-7840. [Public Affairs Office]
Efforts to find missing river guide M.H., 22, have been scaled back following a six-day search that has turned up no clues as to his whereabouts. M.H. was last seen on Tuesday, June 2nd, at approximately 4 p.m. around near Pumpkin Springs along the Colorado River. The initial park response included searching area where he was last seen by air and an immediate hasty search by rangers. For the past six days park rangers have conducted an extensive search of about 14 miles of the river and four miles along its shores. The search will now be scaled back to a continuous but limited mode in which rangers and pilots will continue to look for clues when in the area. Flyers with M.H.'s picture and description remain posted at various South Rim locations, and all launching river trips will briefed on particulars regarding the search. [Public Affairs Office]
On the afternoon of June 18th, hikers told a ranger near Indian Garden that a member of their party needed help. The ranger hiked down Bright Angel Trail to a location known as the Devil's Corkscrew and found that the victim hadn't had a pulse for about two hours despite resuscitation efforts by other members of the group. The hiker, a 36-year-old man from Japan, was on his way back up the Bright Angel Trail after hiking down to the Colorado River. The temperature on the trail at the time was over 110 degrees and the National Weather Service had issued an excessive heat warning for the park. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service in coordination with the Coconino County medical examiner. [Emily Davis, Public Affairs Officer]
On June 22nd, two visitors on a non-commercial river trip pinned their raft on rocks near the top of the Colorado River's Hance Rapids. Unable to free themselves from this dangerous situation, the trip leader called for assistance. River Rangers Bryan Stone and Dave Loeffler were flown to the scene with an inflatable Zodiac rescue boat and attempted unsuccessfully to reach the stuck visitors. Stone was subsequently inserted onto the stuck raft via helicopter short-haul and facilitated the extrication of the visitors via short-haul. With reduced weight on the raft and a rising water level, the raft floated downstream the following morning after several interesting variations in the way it was pinned. As the flight crew was flying to Hance Rapids to assist with the raft recovery and removal of the Zodiac, they diverted to a report of a capsized dory in Crystal Rapids with two visitors sitting atop the vessel. Upon arrival at Crystal Rapids, they found that the situation had self-resolved, as the two visitors had been swept into the river and rescued by their companions. Rangers James Thompson and Erika Andersson served as the incident commanders. [Brandon Torres, Branch Chief of Emergency Services]
During the period from Thursday July 16th through Sunday July 19th, rangers, ISB agents and Grand Canyon fire and aviation personnel conducted aggressive investigations and search operations to successfully assist three separate people who had travelled to Grand Canyon with the expressed intent of committing suicide. One of the threes had threated to commit "HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_by_cop" suicide by cop." All three were located and transported Flagstaff for mental health evaluations without incident. Rangers from several different work units came together as effective teams on these rapidly evolving and dynamic incidents. [James Purcell, Desert View Subdistrict Ranger]
On the evening of Saturday, April 15th, the park received an alert from a personal locating beacon in a backcountry area near the confluence of Tapeats Creek and Thunder River. An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter flew to the location where a hiking party reported that two members of their party were missing — L.A.M. 62, and J.S., 14. L.A.M. and J.S. were last seen crossing Tapeats Creek below the confluence with Thunder River, where they lost their footing and were swept down Tapeats Creek. The park conducted an extensive search of both the Tapeats Creek area and the area of the Colorado River below the confluence with Tapeats Creek from the morning of April 16th to the end of the day on April 19th. Three teams (approximately 20 people total) searched ground areas along Tapeats Creek and the Colorado River each day, staying in the field overnight. In order to cover areas that were inaccessible to the ground searchers, each day the NPS also utilized a helicopter and crew, an unmanned aerial system and operator, and an inflatable motor raft and associated search team. On April 21st, operations were scaled back. The search will continue in a limited and continuous mode, focusing on public outreach and search efforts during regular backcountry patrols. The NPS will continue to follow up and investigate any new information that it receives. Source: Public Affairs, Grand Canyon NP.
On Friday, April 28th, rafters on a commercial river trip came upon the body of 14-year-old J.S. in the Colorado River and reported the discovery to the park. J.S. and L.A.M., 62, were crossing Tapeats Creek on April 15th when they lost their footing, fell and were swept down the stream. Rangers recovered J.S.'s body, which was transported to the rim by helicopter and transferred to the Coconino County medical examiner. The park conducted an extensive four-day search for the two hikers but searchers were unable to locate either of them. L.A.M. remains missing. Source: Public Affairs Office, Grand Canyon NP.
M.T., 25, a park resident, was killed in an accident on Center Road in Grand Canyon Village around noon on Sunday, May 21st. M.T. suffered fatal injuries when the vehicle in which she was riding collided with several trees. The vehicle's driver was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. An investigation into the crash is being conducted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety in coordination with the park and the Coconino County Medical Examiner. Source: Press Release, Emily Davis, Grand Canyon NP.
A search is underway for a 72-year-old hiker who's been missing inside the park since last week. Search efforts continue for R."R."N.-E. of Los Angeles, California, and Lebanon. As of last Thursday, four ground teams of ten people were in the field and aerial searches were being conducted by the park helicopter. Search efforts were focusing on drainages between the Bright Angel and Boucher trails. Steep, hazardous terrain characterizes much of the search area and high temperatures are reported above the century mark. On the evening of Tuesday, June 13th, park dispatch received a call reporting R.N.-E. overdue. He'd last been seen at Hermit Camp on the Hermit Trail on the morning of June 11th. A ranger hiked the Hermit Trail on June 11th and 12th, but was unable to find him. R.N.-E. is described as 5'10" tall, weighing 170 pounds, with gray hair and green eyes. He was last seen carrying a reusable shopping bag, a gallon jug of water, and wearing a black and white ball cap, a green plaid shirt, and khaki shorts. R.N.-E. had reservations to stay at Phantom Ranch. Any individual with information on the location of Raafat "Ralph" R.N.-E. should call the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch Tipline at 888-653-0009, text 202-379-4761, or email the park. Source: News Release, Emily Davis, Grand Canyon NP.
A search was launched last week for a 38-year-old Texas woman who failed to return from a hike as planned on Tuesday, August 1st. S.B. had reservations to stay at the Bright Angel Campground on Tuesday, but failed to arrive. She was hiking down the South Kaibab Trail and her backpack was found near the junction of the South Kaibab Trail and the River Trail. S.B. was hiking with two children, ages 10 and 11, who are safe. Search and rescue crews located a body believed to be hers the following afternoon. The body was found near Black Bridge at the bottom of Grand Canyon, approximately three-quarters of a mile from Phantom Ranch. An investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. Source: News release on search and news release on recovery, Grand Canyon NP.
N.G., 36, recently pleaded guilty to DUI and driving without a license in the park and has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment and four years of supervised probation. When N.G. was contacted by rangers on the night of August 16th, he showed several signs of impaired driving, including weaving, driving at erratic speeds, nearly striking a stationary object, and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle. They also found a significant amount of blood on N.G.'s clothing and detected a strong odor of alcohol about him. When tested, his blood-alcohol content was 0.215, well above the legal limit. Though N.G., a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing weapons, he had several on his person at the time of the incident. His license was found to be invalid and the car's registration was also determined to be invalid. The next morning, park EMS personnel were called out by the victim of an assault. Rangers were able to identify N.G. as the assailant; he'd inflicted blunt-force trauma on the victim and destroyed property in the victim's home. ISB special agents were asked to take the lead on the assault investigation. Along with the sentence noted above, N.G. may not contact the victim, enter Grand Canyon National Park, or possess weapons. He must also pay restitution and seek mental health counseling. Source: Grand Canyon National Park.
A helicopter crashed this past Saturday evening in Quartermaster Canyon on Hualapai Nation lands in the Grand Canyon, killing three and critically injuring four people, including the pilot. All but the pilot were visitors from England. The helicopter, which belonged to Boulder City-based Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, crashed around 5:20 p.m. First responders had difficulty reaching the four survivors because of windy, dark and rugged conditions. Rescuers got help from military aircraft from Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas and were eventually able to fly all four of the injured to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas. Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal, CNN.
Flash flooding in the Grand Canyon caused by heavy monsoon rains prompted evacuations at the Havasupai Campground and surrounding areas Wednesday night. According to the Havasupai Tribal Council, the canyon will be closed to visitors for seven to ten days. Two waves of flooding and about seven feet of floodwater hit Supai just before dark on Wednesday evening. Most of the 200 tourists stranded by the flash flood were subsequently flown out of the canyon. All campgrounds were evacuated and nearby buildings, including the community building and school, were opened for people to sleep in; the tribe provided food and supplies to those evacuated. The flooding did not hit nearby Supai Village. See the website below for photos and a video of the flooding. Source: AZFamily.com.
A.P., a 24-year-old Illinois man, died on July 3rd after falling 500 feet near a park viewpoint on the South Rim. Rangers initially responded to reports that a visitor had lost his footing after climbing over a railing at a viewpoint near Mather Point. Source: Fox News.
Several reports have recently come in from across the Service regarding unsuccessful (as of yet) searches for missing persons. Rather than itemize each individually, here's a summary, including the relevant parks and links for additional information: Grand Canyon NP — A California man remains missing after disappearing while trying to rescue his wife during a river rafting trip in the Grand Canyon on September 7th. M.H., 67, and his 65-year-old wife were on a Canyoneers commercial river excursion at Clear Creek that Friday morning. They were preparing for a day hike when the woman went into the river while disembarking. Both swam through Clear Creek Rapid; she was rescued, airlifted to the South Rim, and taken to a Flagstaff hospital, but there's been no sign of him since then. Source: AP via Arizona Republic. Sources: As indicated above.
The following are short follow-ups on incidents previously reported in this newsletter: Grand Canyon NP — Visitor M.H. and his wife were swept downriver after disembarking from their boat near Clear Creek on September 7th. M.H.'s wife was rescued and taken to a hospital, but M.H. disappeared. A multi-day search proved fruitless. On September 14th, a body was found below Granite Rapids; positive identification is pending, but evidence found with the body indicates that it's M.H. Source: Arizona Daily Sun.
A ranger was involved in a shooting incident in the park around 1 a.m. on the morning of Thursday, October 11th. A suspect was taken into custody. Both suspect and ranger sustained minor injuries in the incident. The text of the official release follows; no further information is currently available: "The NPS has a national policy that governs response to an officer involved shooting within park boundaries to ensure investigations are conducted with thoroughness, professionalism and impartiality. The NPS's Investigative Services Branch is on scene at the Grand Canyon and is leading the investigation. Notifications have been made to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be submitted to the United States Attorney's Office District of Arizona. The NPS Office of Professional Responsibility will provide an objective and thorough internal investigation into the officer's actions. Involved officers are placed on administrative leave while these investigations occur." Source: Grand Canyon National Park.
Rangers and special agents are investigating a double fatality that occurred in the park in September. J.B., 22, and G.B., 25, are believed to have entered the park on September 18th. Their bodies were found below Trailview 2 Overlook along West Rim Drive on the South Rim earlier this month. Their vehicle was located in a nearby parking area. Investigators are seeking information that will help determine the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Anyone who saw them in the park or has information that could help investigators is asked to call or text 888-653-0009. Tips can also be submitted online at www.nps.gov/ISB or by email at nps_isb@nps.gov. Source: Grand Canyon News.
KXLF News — Although entrance fees are not being collected and the VC at Grand Canyon NP is closed, the park at least hasn't suffered from trash and toilet problems like many other areas. That's because Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued an executive order last year allowing trash pickup and restroom maintenance to continue during a shutdown. Those services are being paid by funds contributed by the state. Source: KXLF News.
A helicopter lifted the body of the Hong Kong man from a point a thousand feet below the rim last Thursday afternoon at Grand Canyon West, a popular tourist destination on the Hualapai Reservation outside the boundaries of the park. The fall happened earlier Thursday when not many visitors are at Eagle Point, a remote site best known for the Skywalk, a horse-shoe shaped glass bridge that juts out from the canyon wall. The rim has some ledges and outcroppings below but no barrier between tourists and the edge. The man, who was in his 50s, was taking photos when he stumbled and fell. Signs at Eagle Point warn tourists not to get too close to the edge. Source: Associated Press.
On the morning of April 3rd, rangers were notified that a man had fallen over the edge of the canyon east of the Yavapai Geology Museum. They subsequently found the body of a 67-year-old man about 400 feet below the rim. He was the third person to die at the Grand Canyon during a two week period. On March 26th, a body identified as likely being that of a foreign visitor was found in a wooded area south of the Grand Canyon Village away from the rim. The cause of death is under investigation. Two days later, a 50-year-old tourist from Hong Kong fell into the canyon while trying to take photos at Grand Canyon West, an area that is on the Hualapai Indian Reservation west of the National Park. That fall happened at Eagle Point, an area close to the Skywalk attraction. Source: Dylan Mckim, Arizona Republic.
Rangers received reports of a person needing help near Pike Creek Vista early on the afternoon of April 23rd, but the 70-year-old woman fell 200 feet to her death before they could get to her. A technical rescue team used a park helicopter to find and recover her body later in the day. The incident was the latest in a string of deaths that have happened at the canyon in recent weeks: Rangers were notified on April 3rd that a man had fallen over the edge of the canyon and later found the body of a 67-year-old man about 400 feet below the rim. In late March, a 50-year-old tourist from Hong Kong fell into the canyon while trying to take photos at Grand Canyon West, an area that is on the Hualapai Indian Reservation. That fall happened at Eagle Point, an area close to the Skywalk attraction. On March 26th, a body was found in a wooded area south of the Grand Canyon Village away from the rim. The cause of the death was being investigated at the time of the report. Source: BrieAnna J. Frank, Arizona Star via USA Today.
Below are short follow-ups on incidents previously reported in this newsletter: Grand Canyon NP — Despite several fatal falls that have occurred in the park of late, reports Insider, "visitors to the Grand Canyon are still standing dangerously close to the edge of the landmark's rim..." The observations made by some of these visitors will not surprise anyone who's worked for the Service for any length of time: "Tourists at the park told NBC News that they didn't believe they were putting themselves in danger when they got close to the rim's edge. Instead, the tourists said they thought those who had fallen likely weren't paying attention or were acting risky near the edge. NBC reporters saw tourists attempt handstands, yoga poses, and more near the canyon's edge." Source: Kelly McLaughlin, Insider.
Rangers are searching for 66-year-old P.S., who was last seen on a river trip last Friday on a small beach downriver from National Canyon (river mile 167). P.S. was reported missing following a day hike to a location called the Narrows. He was last seen wearing a tan, full-brim hat with a white long-sleeve shirt, gray cargo shorts and older-style Teva shoes. Anyone who may have seen P.S. is asked to contact the NPS at 888-653-0009. Source: KPNX News.
A 58-year-old man who had been missing in the Grand Canyon for 11 days was found alive on January 2nd. He was flown out of the canyon by helicopter and at the time of the report (last Friday) was undergoing a medical evaluation. M.O. was found on the rugged New Hance Trail, one of the most difficult trails on the South Rim. M.O. had been missing since December 22nd, when he was last seen at a lodge on the South Rim. Source: By Michelle Iracheta, Houston Chronicle.
NPS and BLM rangers joined deputies from the Mohave County Arizona Sheriff's Office in the successful rescue and reunification of a family of five who became stranded in mud and snow in the Arizona strip earlier this month. On the evening of January 6th, Mohave County dispatch received a 911 call from a Colorado man who said that he and his family were stranded in a remote location south of St. George. The man and his family, attempting to see the Grand Canyon on their way home from a California vacation, became stuck after a smartphone mapping application erroneously routed them onto unpaved backcountry roads on the Arizona Strip. The family had traveled 30 to 40 miles into the backcountry before their SUV became stuck in deep mud, clay and snow at 7,500 feet. Due to spotty cellular reception in such a remote area the man was unable to provide dispatch with accurate coordinates to their location. After several attempts to extract their SUV from the deeply rutted road, the father and teenage son decided to set out on foot to find help, leaving the wife and two younger children behind to take shelter in the vehicle. With rapidly dwindling power on their phone, father and son covered 20 miles that night searching for a cellular connection while attempting to find their way back to town. When he next got cellular reception, the man was connected directly with a county deputy, who in turn connected with the NPS and BLM rangers. They were able to speak with the lost man and determine that he and his son were located near Lime Kiln Canyon on the Arizona Strip. The rescuers soon reached them and determined that the man's wife and children were probably on Black Rock Mountain between Cougar Spring and Maple Canyon. One deputy transported father and son to Mesquite; the others followed their tracks back to the car and rescued the other members of the family. The rangers treated the family for dehydration, provided food, and reconnected them with the father and son. "I could see relief on her face that the rest of her family had made it okay," said one of the rangers. "It's why we all do the job — to be able to help people." "That I could be the one to put those fears aside and help them get out of there is an awesome feeling," said the other. Source: Rachel Carnahan, Southern Utah Independent.
On the evening of February 29th, park dispatch received a report of a man who was cliffed out and stranded approximately 100 feet below the rim at Hopi Point. The man had climbed down to watch the sunset and found himself unable to make his way safely out of the canyon in the darkness. A team assembled and conducted a nighttime technical rope rescue. The man was brought back to the rim uninjured and without incident. Source: Grand Canyon NP.
Restricting Visitation To The Parks — "Government officials and advocacy groups are trying to stem the tide of visitors seeking a nature fix," reports Salon Magazine. Some parks are being overrun with visitors, including the Grand Canyon (which finally closed down last week). Theresa Pierno, head of NPCA, gave this example, which occurred before the closure: "On a popular trail in the Grand Canyon, a ranger had 600 contacts with visitors in just one day, proving that social distancing just isn't possible, despite people's best intentions." Source: Marjie Lundstrom, Salon.
There are far too many closure and modified closure notices from the 400+ units of the National Park System to summarize here. You can, however, find specifics on the status of just about any park by going to the Service's "Active Alerts In Parks" webpage and using the search engine to find information on a particular site. We will continue to limit our reporting to a listing of articles of note on the NPS response: At Least Seven NPS Employees Test Positive For CV — As of a week ago Monday, seven NPS employees had tested positive for coronavirus. Although the NPS declined to identify the employees, other reports indicate that at least one is at Great Smokies and another at Grand Canyon. Source: Darryl Fears, Juliet Eilperin and Dino Grandoni, Washington Post.
C.H., 49, was hiking into the canyon to spend a night at Phantom Ranch last Wednesday afternoon when she became dizzy and disoriented, then stopped breathing. Rangers were called to the South Kaibab Trail around 5:30 p.m. after receiving a call about a fatality. The high temperature on Wednesday at Phantom Ranch was about 114 degrees. It's believed that her death was related to the heat. An investigation is underway. Source: KNXV News.
An Arizona woman fell to her death at Mather Point on July 3rd. She was taking photos with her family when she accidentally stepped off the edge of the canyon rim. The body of M.A.S.L., 59, of Scottsdale was recovered by park rangers about 100 feet below the Canyon's Rim near the South Rim's visitor center. The Grand Canyon had 17 fatalities in 2018, and at least three people died in the park in 2019. Last year, two people died at the Grand Canyon in separate incidents that included one man stumbling over the edge of the rim while trying to take pictures at Grand Canyon West, a popular tourist destination on the Hualapai reservation outside the boundaries of the national park. About a month later, a third visitor fell 400 feet over the South Rim. Source: Audrey McNamara, CBS News.
A small plane crashed in the park last Friday morning, causing a closure of State Route 64 near the park's south entrance. The plane crashed onto the roadway in Tusayan and resulted in minor injuries. The Arizona Department of Public Safety said the pilot was the only person on board and injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. The crash scene blocked both north and southbound lanes of State Route 64. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was a single-engine Cessna Caravan and it was making an emergency landing on the road north of Grand Canyon Airport around 10:40 a.m. The FAA says the plane had departed from Grand Canyon Airport and the pilot was planning to return there. The FAA is investigating. The Coconino County Sheriff's Office is also investigating. When officers arrived on the scene, they found the plane upside down and located the pilot. A.D., 24, was treated by Tusayan Fire Department and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center for neck and back injuries. Dutzy is an employee at the Paragon Skydiving company, which operates out of Grand Canyon Airport. On his way back to the airport, the engine of his aircraft died. He attempted to make an emergency landing but the right wing caught on a light pole, causing the crash. Source: KPNX News.
Former professional baseball player C.H., 37, who is suspected of shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound along South Rim Trail on Saturday evening. Police say C.H. killed 34-year-old Danielle Breed on Friday night before fleeing. His abandoned grey 2020 Chrysler Voyager was found near Flagstaff on Saturday. C.H. was a former professional baseball player and played for a number of teams throughout his career, including the Boston Red Sox, the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Seattle Mariners. His major league baseball career ended in 2010. Source: Madeline Ackley, Arizona Republic.
A Phoenix man died after falling about 80 feet while day hiking on the South Kaibab Trail last Tuesday. Park rangers responded after getting a call shortly after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday that a person had died above the Black Bridge on the South Kaibab Trail. Rangers found the victim, who was identified as 23-year-old Jaiquan Carter. He is believed to have been hiking when he fell from the trail. An investigation is under way by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. Source: Mike Cruz, Arizona Republic.
Rangers were dispatched to an over-the-edge call near the El Tovar hotel on the South Rim around 5:30 pm. A 35-year-old man had fallen over the rock wall at the edge of the canyon, stopping between 15 and 20 feet below the rim. Rangers sent a rope down to the man so that he could secure himself while rigging for a rescue. A ranger was sent down on rope and secured the man to a second line. The pair were then raised to the rim via a mechanical advantage system. The man was cited for disorderly conduct after investigation revealed that he was intoxicated at the time of the fall. He was uninjured in the incident. Source: National Park Service.
On July 14, active monsoonal weather caused a flashflood near Tathatso Camp near River Mile 38 on the Colorado River. NPS was alerted of 2 missing individuals and multiple injuries. Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter flew out five patients. One was in critical condition. The two missing individuals were located the next morning, one uninjured and the other deceased. R.C., 29, was identified as the deceased victim. The floods across the region caused Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to issue an emergency declaration for Coconino County. Source: Grand Canyon National Park, KULR8
On July 19, a 56-year-old hiker was identified as unresponsive near the Mile-and-Half Resthouse on the Bright Angel Trail. Bystanders initiated CPR and NPS personnel responded, but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. He had been on a day trip to Plateau Point. An investigation is ongoing and the victim has not yet been identified. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
A group was hit by lightning at the Bright Angel Trailhead, leaving two visitors unconscious and at least two others injured. One of the unconscious visitors was taken by ambulance to Flagstaff for treatment. Source: KOLD News 13
45-year-old G.B.-T. was reported missing to the Las Vegas police by his family. Authorities located his vehicle at the South Rim visitor center on August 9. Investigators believe he arrived to the park on July 19. Ground and aerial search have not yet turned up evidence and the park is seeking any information the public may have. Source: KNAU
On August 23, two people were reported overdue from day-hiking on the Hermit Trail. One hiker reached the trailhead several hours later. The other had been last seen east of Hermit Creek Camp on the Tonto Trail. NPS personnel on foot and in a helicopter searched for the hiker on Monday and Tuesday, eventually finding him in stable condition on the Hermit Trail near Breezy Point. Source: Grand Canyon News
On August 28, park officials received a report of an injured river trip participant who could not be located by other members of the trip who were in the Deer Creek Narrows. He was found deceased the following day, and appeared to fallen 50 feet. His body was taken by helicopter to the South Rim and an investigation will be led by the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office and the National Park Service. Source: AZ Central
On or around June 11, C.L., 49, left his vehicle on Desert View Drive near Lipan Point. He is believed to have been traveling alone and had been last seen at the Best Western Hotel in nearby Tusayan, Arizona. The NPS has searched the park extensively using ground teams and helicopter flights. The park announced that the search is now in limited and continuous mode. Source: ABC4
Grand Canyon National Park — A body was found below Yavapai Point. It is suspected to belong to G.B.-T., whose car was found at the South Rim visitor center after Las Vegas Police alerted the park that he had possibly traveled through the park in late July. Source: ABC4
A 66-year-old had a backpacking permit to spend two nights on the Walhalla Plateau starting from the Komo Point Trailhead on the North Rim, starting on September 10 and returning on September 13. On September 14, the visitor was reported missing. Ground and aerial search teams worked for several days, eventually locating the hiker near Roosevelt Point. The patient was announced to be in stable condition, and was treated and transported to the North Rim. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On October 17, a visitor was observed hitting a baseball with a bat into the canyon near the Yavapai Geology Museum on the South Rim. The incident was reported by visitors, including photographic evidence, and the NPS has stated that it is in contact with the visitor. Source: Fox 7 Austin
On October 16, a vehicle was observed speeding through the eastern end of Zion National Park. Rangers tried to stop the vehicle, but it was able to leave the park headed east. Kane County Sherriff's deputies approached the car going west, but they were forced off the road when the vehicle swerved into their lane. Spikes were also laid on the roadway, but the suspect was able to avoid them. The suspect was observed by deputies driving in excess of 105mph and driving erratically. The suspect crossed into Arizona, and was eventually stopped by spikes laid out by an NPS ranger at Lee's Ferry, 100 miles from where the chase began. The suspect was taken into custody. Felony charges in both Utah and Arizona are expected to follow after the investigation is complete. Source: ABC4
In September 2020, visitors reported to park staff that they believed a maintenance worker recorded them as they used the toilet. The worker was fired and removed from the park. A criminal investigation is now underway by the FBI, and they have a survey out to potentially find other victims of voyeurism along the corridor trail system in the park between November 2018 and September 2020. Individuals who may have used pit or flush toilets at Indian Garden, Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, South Kaibab Trail, and North Kaibab Trail during that time are asked to fill out this survey. Agents said there is no evidence that images taken in the restroom were shared. The Department of the Interior is conducting an internal review at the park. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigations, KOLD
On December 21, a 57-year-old hiker was reported overdue from a hike on the Boucher Trail. An aerial search on December 22 found the victim's body between Yuma Point and Dripping Springs, about 200 feet below the Boucher Trail. The body was recovered via helicopter and the incident is being investigated by the NPS and Coconino County Medical Examiner. Source: New York Post
On February 2, a vehicle on Highway 64 near the South Rim entrance station collided with a tree, resulting in the death of the 26-year-old driver. The Arizona Department of Public Safety, NPS, and Coconino County Medical Examiner are conducting an investigation. Source: KNAU Arizona Public Radio
On March 24, a 68-year-old fell into Hance Rapid while participating in a private boating trip. When the victim was pulled from the water, she was unresponsive and other group members began performing CPR. NPS staff flew to the location by helicopter, but efforts to resuscitate the victim were unsuccessful. Source: CNN
On March 25, a visitor pled guilty for violation for the group size limitation on a rim-to-rim hike in the park. On October 24, 2020, the individual organized a 139-person group to hike rim-to-rim through the inner canyon without a permit. The individual was made aware prior to that date that the group required a permit. Organized groups of 12-30 participants require a special use permit when traveling into the inner canyon. The individual was sentenced to two years of supervised probation and is banned from all national parks, national monuments, and federal lands within the state of Arizona. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On March 4, a 34-year-old private river trip participant felt approximately 20 feet and sustained fatal injuries near Ledges Camp (river mile 152) along the Colorado River. Members of the group noted the victim was unresponsive and began CPR. The park requested Arizona Department of Public Safety emergency helicopter response due to nightfall. They arrived on scene and pronounced the individual deceased. The incident is being investigated by the NPS and Coconino County Medical Examiner. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On April 8, a person pled guilty to conducting business operations without a permit in the park. The individual had been contacted and warned about operating without a permit and continued to conduct business guiding backpacking trips into the canyon. The individual is banned from the Grand Canyon and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area for two years and will serve two years of supervised probation. Source: Grand Canyon National Park June 15, 2022 On June 2, a 41-year-old hiker was reported in distress on the Bright Angel Trail above Three-Mile Resthouse. Soon afterward, the hiker became unresponsive and bystanders initiated CPR. NPS personnel responded and assisted with resuscitation, but the efforts were unsuccessful. The hiker had hiked to the Colorado River earlier in the day. An investigation is being conducted by the NPS and Coconino County Medical Examiner. Though the official cause of death has not been released, the NPS has reminded hikers to drink plenty of fluids, rest in the shade in the heat of the day, and dress appropriately for the conditions. Source: Grand Canyon National Park June 15, 2022 On June 11, a 47-year-old participant on a commercial river trip was cooling off in the river at Pipe Creek Beach, when the current carried the individual downriver. The guides were able to reach the individual by boat, pulled them from the river, and began CPR. NPS personnel responded and assisted with resuscitation efforts, but the efforts were unsuccessful and the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene. The NPS and Coconino County Medial Examiner are conducting an investigation. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
The park has released a report of 118 cases of gastrointestinal illness between mid-May and mid-June. Several of these tested positive for norovirus, and it is suspected that most of the cases were the same illness. Many were participants on river trips. The National Park Service's Office of Public Health, the Center for Disease Control, and Coconino County, Arizona Health and Human Services are investigating. Source: NBC News July 13, 2022 The park has initiated water conservation measures on the North Rim due to an electrical failure in the Roaring Springs pumphouse. The park and contractors are investigating the extent and location of the damage and there is no estimated timeline for repair. Drinking water remains available on the North Rim and North Kaibab, but conservation measures are in effect. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On July 13, a waterline break near Ribbon Falls on the North Kaibab Trail triggered the loss of chlorination and pressure for pumping to water spigots along the North Kaibab corridor. As a result, the water system violated a drinking water requirement for more than 4 hours and may have exposed visitors to water-born diseases. Water utility operators are assessing the damage and water is not available at Manzanita Rest Area, Roaring Springs, or Cottonwood Campground. Later, at least four leaks were found along the Transcanyon Pipeline on the north Kaibab and Bright Angel trails, resulting in diminished water resources and the implementation of Level 2 water conservation measures. These measures include disposable dishes and utensils at concessions operation and home conservation measures on the South Rim. Water on the North Rim is unaffected. Source: Grand Canyon National Park (7/13, 7/22)
On July 17, lightning started the Dragon Fire five miles west of the North Rim Grand Canyon Lodge. As of July 24, the fire was 1,025 acres with 47 personnel assigned. Fire managers are buffering containment lines and monitoring fire activity, while letting it burn to support the ecosystem. The Tiyo Point Trail is currently closed. Source: St George News, Inciweb
On July 27, two individuals at Moran Point observed two other individuals scratching words onto a rock. They took photos of the individuals and yelled at the the suspects to stop. They did not stop, and the observers reported the incident to the NPS tip line. The NPS has asked the public for help identifying the individuals. Source: Fox 10 Phoenix
On August 1, a 34-year-old private river trip participant was at Ledges Camp when they took a fall of about 20 feet. Members of the group found the individual unresponsive, called for help, and began CPR. Due to darkness, the NPS requested helicopter assistance from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Upon arrival, staff from ADPS pronounced the individual deceased. An investigation is being conducted by the NPS and Coconino County Medical Examiner. Source: ABC4 August 24, 2022 On August 15, the park lifted its mandatory water conservation measures, which were implemented after damage to the water pipeline in July. Some rest houses in the canyon still will be without water until repairs can be completed. Source: Grand Canyon National Park September 7, 2022 On August 26, a 44-year-old fell from the North Rim, off-trail west of the Bright Angel Point Trail. The individual was found deceased 200 feet below the rim. Their body was recovered by a technical ropes team of NPS personnel. An investigation is being conducted by the NPS and Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. Source: Grand Canyon National Park September 7, 2022 On August 29, the park announced that a bat collected on the Colorado River in mid-August has tested positive for rabies. They have advised visitors to give bats a safe distance and to seek medical treatment if they come into physical contact with a bat. Source: Grand Canyon National Park September 7, 2022 On September 3, the park re-implemented mandatory water conservation measures on both the North and South Rims of the park due to a major pipeline break along the North Kaibab Trail. Source: Grand Canyon National Park September 7, 2022 On September 4, a 59-year-old backpacker on a multi-day backpacking trip became disoriented and then unconscious along the Thunder River Trail, approximately 1 mile from the confluence of Tapeats Creek and the Colorado River. Members of their group unsuccessfully attempted to resuscitate the individual. The cause of death is under investigation. The park stated that temperatures in the inner canyon that day were between 100 and 115 degrees. Source: Grand Canyon National Park September 7, 2022 The closures in effect due to the Dragon Fire, which began on July 17, have now been lifted. Tiyo Point, the Outlet Canyon backcountry use area, and Widforss Forest Trail are all now open. Source: Grand Canyon National Park September 18, 2022 On September 10, a motorized boat from a commercial outfitter flipped in Bedrock Rapid on the Colorado River when it came up against a rock. A 67-year-old passenger was pulled out of the water and found to be unresponsive. Other members of the group began CPR and park rangers flew to the location by helicopter, but the individual could not be resuscitated. Four other passengers were also treated by emergency medical personnel for non-critical injuries, and were transported to the South Rim. An investigation is being conducted by the NPS and the Coconino County Medical Examiner. Source: The Journal/The Associated Press September 18, 2022 On September 11, the park enacted further water restrictions and conservation measures due to a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. Camper services operated by Delaware North and concessions and lodging at Phantom Ranch have been closed, water spigots at Mather Campground and Desert View Campground have been turned off, and other water conservation measures are in place for visitors and residents. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
Parkwide water restrictions were lifted after water storage tanks on both the North and South Rims reached sustainable levels. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On October 26, an individual, who identifies as an influencer, posted a video on TikTok of themself hitting a golfball and then throwing the golf club into the canyon near Mather Point. Members of the public reported the video, and on October 27, law enforcement rangers were able to identify, locate, and contact the individual. Charges and a court appearance are pending. The park posted the incident on their social media account with the following sentence: "Do we really need to say, 'don't hit golf balls into the Grand Canyon?'" Source: USA Today/Golfweek
On October 26, an electrical fire was reported at the El Tovar Hotel. Firefighters from the NPS, Xanterra Fire and Security, and Tusayan Fire Department responded. They found a circuit breaker in the basement was causing smoke, but not flames. The scene was secured in 30 minutes with no reported injuries. El Tovar Hotel, Kachina Lodge, and Colter Hall were evacuated out of an abundance of caution and due to the loss of electrical service. As of October 27, there was no announced date of reopening for dining or overnight services at El Tovar. Source: Grand Canyon National Park December 14, 2022
On February 17, a 56-year-old was found unresponsive on the Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens. NPS Search and Rescue personnel responded and determined that the individual was deceased. The individual was attempting to day hike from the rim to the Colorado River and back. The NPS is investigating in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Due to ongoing storms, three sizeable rockfalls have been reported along the Bright Angel Trail. The trail is still passable, though the park has asked the public to remain aware that more rockfall may be possible in the canyon as snow melts in coming weeks. Source: KNAU
The North Kaibab Trail has been closed to all foot traffic through June 2 so that trail crews can repair and rebuild portions of the trail and North Rim pipeline. Rockfall, snow loads, and moisture have caused damage throughout the winter, making the trail impassable and dangerous. Source: Williams-Grand Canyon News
On March 9, staff from The Peregrine Fund observed a bird exhibiting signs of illness. They monitored the individual until it passed away and then collected it for testing on March 20. The bird was sent to the Clark R. Bavin National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory for a necropsy, which worked with the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Service Laboratory to analyze samples. On March 30, the results were found positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. As of April 4, two other deceased individuals were also confirmed to have had HPAI. There are five additional deceased birds, which are pending necropsy and testing. Five other birds displaying signs of illness were captured by The Peregrine Fund and sent to Liberty Wildlife in Phoenix, Arizona, for quarantine and care. One of those five individuals passed away upon arrival. Source: National Park Service Office of Communications
On May 14, a group of four hikers hiked to the Colorado River from the South Rim. On their return trip up the Bright Angel Trail, about halfway in between Three-Mile Resthouse and Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse, a 36-year-old in the party became unresponsive. Emergency personnel responded within the hour, and shortly after they arrived, the individual's pulse was lost. Attempts to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful. The death was believed to be caused by heat-related illness and hyponatremia. The Coconino County (AZ) Medical Examiner is working with the NPS on an investigation of the incident. Source: Arizona Daily Sun
On July 2, a 57-year-old was on an eight-mile-hike near Tuweep when they became unconscious. That night, an NPS ranger found the individual and they were pronounced deceased. Temperatures that day were over 100 degrees, and up to 114 in some parts of the canyon. The death is under investigation by the Mohave County Medical Examiner. Source: WAAY
On May 15, an individual entered a guilty plea on misdemeanor charges of leading a backcountry packrafting trip without a permit and entering a restricted area. In mid-July, they were sentenced to a $2,500 fine and two years' probation, including a two-year ban from all national parks, national monuments, and federal recreation areas. Packrafting is permitted in the Grand Canyon under specific parameters in the Superintendent's Compendium, which were not heeded. This is the individual's second conviction for illegally packrafting in the park. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On August 8, a 14-year-old fell 70 feet off a cliff at Bright Angel Point on the North Rim. A helicopter was unable to reach the individual. An NPS rope rescue team was able to extract the individual, and they were flown to a pediatric trauma center for evaluation. The individual's condition was said to be stable. Source: USA Today
On August 25, the park announced that E. coli bacteria had been detected in the water supply close to Phantom Ranch. The park is collecting more samples to understand the source of the bacteria and is chlorinating water in the area. Source: AP News
On September 9, a 55-year-old attempted to hike from the South Rim to the North Rim. At about 2 p.m., a mile south of Cottonwood Campground on the North Kaibab Trail, the hiker became unresponsive. Bystanders began CPR and park staff deployed a rescue helicopter to access the location and administer advanced life support measures. Attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful. The NPS and the Coconino County (AZ) Medical Examiner are investigating the death. Source: Los Angeles Times, Grand Canyon National Park
On September 15, a 63-year-old slipped while backpacking in the Kanab Creek area, resulting in the dislocation of their shoulder. The individual was part of a party of five; one other individual was with them at the time of the incident, while the other three had gone back to their campsite. The hiker who was with the injured individual hiked five miles to reach the rest of the group who had a satellite device that they used to alert emergency services. A helicopter was able to land about a quarter of a mile from the individual and evacuate them from the canyon. They were transported to a Flagstaff hospital. Source: AZ Central
On November 16, a 65-year-old utilized a satellite device to alert emergency services of needing help on the Bright Angel Trail, about 1.5 miles north of Havasupai Gardens. The individual was attempting to hike from the South Rim to the Colorado River and back in one day. NPS rescuers responded. The individual was pronounced deceased on scene. An investigation will be done by the NPS and Coconino County Medical Examiner. Source: USA Today
A bobcat was found deceased recently in Grand Canyon Village. An autopsy found that the individual died from high levels of rodenticide. Rodenticides are banned at the Grand Canyon "except in specific situations when officials deem it necessary to mitigate disease transmission." The park offers kits and guidance for removal of rodents without using poison. Source: KTAR
On April 21, the truck of a 58-year-old was found "abandoned" at Lee's Ferry. It is believed that the individual may have attempted to float the Colorado River into the Grand Canyon on a self-made wooden raft with their dog. The park is looking for any information the public may have. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
The Bureau of Reclamation recently discovered damage in the penstocks that allow water to pass out of Lake Powell. Damage includes sediment, thinning of the pipes, and cavitation (formation and collapse of air bubbles in flowing water that can pit and tear metal). To reduce additional damage, the BOR is requiring that flows be reduced in the event of low reservoir levels. The BOR is working with its engineers to come up with a solution, including utilizing scale models in a laboratory. It is unclear how long the repairs will take. Source: Los Angeles Times
On May 10, a deceased individual was found near mile 6 on the Colorado River. It is believed to be the 58-year-old who went missing in late April, who was thought to have attempted to run the river on a homemade wooden raft with a dog (see 5/1/24 Coalition Report). The Coconino County (AZ) Medical Examiner's Office will confirm positive identification and work with the NPS on an investigation of the incident. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On May 18 around midnight, a fire started within a concessionaire housing unit on Bourbon Street. An employee used a fire extinguisher to put out most of the fire, "potentially saving the lives of other residents and several cabins surrounding the structure fire." The park's South Rim structure fire team responded and was able to extinguish the fire completely. A 21-year-old employee was arrested in conjunction with the incident, facing charges for driving under the influence, arson, property damage, and trespassing. The suspect's vehicle was found severely damaged. The investigation is being conducted by the NPS' Investigative Services Branch, Grand Canyon law enforcement staff, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On June 16 at about 6:45 AM, a 41-year-old hiker was found unresponsive on the Bright Angel Trail, about a half-mile east of the Pipe Creek River Resthouse. They were hiking out of the canyon after an overnight stay at the Bright Angel Campground. Bystanders and NPS staff attempted to resuscitate the individual but were unsuccessful. The NPS and Coconino County Medical Examiner are investigating the incident. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On June 21, a cat was spotted stuck in a tree near Mather Campground on the South Rim. NPS staff responded and were able to safely extract the cat from the tree. The NPS has asked the public if anyone can identify its owners. Source: News3LV
On June 29, a 69-year-old hiker collapsed and went unconscious while hiking on the River Trail halfway between Silver Bridge and Black Bridge. The individual was attempting to reach Phantom Ranch for an overnight stay. Bystanders administered CPR until park staff arrived on scene. Further resuscitation efforts were also unsuccessful. Staff from Xanterra Phantom Ranch also supported the incident. The NPS and Coconino County (AZ) Medical Examiner are investigating the incident and cause of death. Source: USA Today, Grand Canyon National Park
On July 7, a 50-year-old became unresponsive 100 feet below the rim while hiking up the Bright Angel Trail after an overnight stay at Havasupai Gardens. Bystanders administered CPR and personnel from the NPS and Xanterra Fire and Security responded. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The incident is being investigated by the NPS and Coconino County (AZ) Medical Examiner. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On July 15, park staff attempted to re-pressurize the Trans Canyon Waterline after it had been shut off for repairs. The action caused the line to break. Mandatory water conservation efforts are in effect on the South Rim. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On August 1, an individual attempted to BASE jump from Yavapai Point. The individual was located deceased about 500 feet below the rim. Their parachute had deployed. On August 2, a recovery team utilized technical rope rescue techniques to reach the individual and transported their body to the rim via helicopter. The NPS and Coconino County (AZ) Medical Examiner's Office are conducting an investigation into the incident. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On July 31, a 20-year-old took an accidental 400-foot fall off the rim about a quarter-mile west of Pipe Creek Overlook. The individual did not survive the fall. Park staff recovered the individual's body via technical rope rescue techniques. The NPS and the Cooconino County (AZ) Medical Examiner's Office are investigating the incident. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On July 29, the park lifted all water restrictions on the South Rim after repairing the damaged water pipeline. On August 4, mandatory water conservation measures were reinstated for the South Rim due to a pump failure at Havasupai Gardens. Source: Grand Canyon National Park (7/29, 8/4)
On August 3, a 20-year-old entered the park and went missing. The park began a multi-day search for the individual. On August 6, NPS staff located the individual 150 feet below the rim at Twin Overlooks along Desert View Drive. The individual's body was recovered utilizing technical rope rescue techniques, the team's third in a week. The NPS and Coconino County (AZ) Medical Examiner are investigating the incident. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On August 12, park staff were able to restore the pump at Havasupai Gardens and all water restrictions on the South Rim have been removed (see 8/7/24 Coalition Report). Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On August 14, a team of 27 Search and Rescue members were able to complete a challenging recovery of a parachute stuck on the cliffs below Yavapai Point, left behind after a fatal BASE jumping accident on August 1 (see 8/7/24 Coalition Report). The rescue involved a "rarely used technique called a 'two-rope offset system.'" Source: St. George News
On August 22, a new break was found in the Transcanyon Waterline, requiring water restrictions and conservation measures on the South Rim and preliminary conservation measures on the North Rim. This included the closure of camper services operated by Delaware North, and turning off spigots in Mather Campground and Desert View Campground. On August 28, "a series of four significant breaks" were found in the Transcanyon Waterline. As a result, the park implemented "Stage 4" water restrictions, including halting all concessions overnight lodging, allowing only "dry camping" with no spigots available, and a ban on all fires on the South Rim and in the inner canyon. Source: Grand Canyon National Park (8/22, 8/28)
On August 22, a flash flood hit Havasu Creek. An estimated 104 local community members and visitors were stranded in the area around Havasupai Falls (located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, adjacent to the park). Air support from the Arizona National Guard was able to evacuate "anyone requesting it" the following day, and they also deployed three supply drop-offs of food and water. The rescue was coordinated by the Coconino County (AZ) Sheriff's Office, NPS, and local Tribal officials. The campground and trail (both on the reservation) are closed indefinitely due to damage. A 33-year-old was reported missing in the incident. They were swept into the creek about a half-mile above the Colorado River confluence. The park conducted a multi-day search. On August 25, a commercial river trip found the individual deceased near river mile 176 (located inside the park). NPS staff recovered the individual's body. They were transported to the rim by helicopter, then transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner. The incident is under investigation by the medical examiner and the NPS. Source: Grand Canyon National Park (8/23, 8/25), Arizona Republic
On August 25, a commercial river raft flipped at Fossil Rapid (river mile 126) on the Colorado River. An 80-year-old became unresponsive in the incident, and the group began CPR. The group requested assistance via a satellite phone. NPS staff were flown in by helicopter. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The NPS and Coconino County (AZ) Medical Examiner are investigating the incident. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On August 27, an individual reported to the park that their family member, a 60-year-old, had failed to check in while backpacking solo on the Thunder River to Deer Creek loop. On August 28, an NPS search and rescue team responded via helicopter and found the individual deceased between Lower Tapeats Camp and Deer Creek Camp. The incident is under investigation by the NPS and Coconino County (AZ) Medical Examiner. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On September 9, a 71-year-old on a rafting trip was reported missing in the area of Lower Nankoweap Camp (river mile 53.5). The following day, a search helicopter located a deceased individual near river mile 63.5. It is believed to be the missing individual. The NPS and Coconino County (AZ) Medical Examiner are investigating the incident. Source: Grand Canyon National Park On September 7, a 59-year-old on a private rafting trip was found deceased by other members of their party at Poncho's Kitchen (river mile 137). The NPS and Coconino County (AZ) Medical Examiner are investigating the incident. Source: Grand Canyon National Park
On September 5, the park reopened overnight accommodations. They were closed on August 29 due to a break in the Transcanyon Waterline. On September 12, the South Rim moved from Stage 3 to Stage 2 water restrictions, including reopening camper services by the concessioner, turning on water at campgrounds, and lifting some fire restrictions. Source: Grand Canyon National Park (9/5, 9/12)
On October 1, a 21-year-old was sentenced after pleading guilty to arson at a concessioner housing unit on May 18 (see 5/29/24 Coalition Report). The individual pushed their way into their ex-partner's locked cabin while they were gone, poured a bottle of clear liquor on the bed, lit one of the resident's shirts on fire, then put it on the bed. The individual left the cabin as the bed began to burn. A bystander put most of the fire out before responders arrived, though the walls and ceiling were damaged by flames and smoke. The individual was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison, five years of supervised release, and over $20,000 in restitution. Source: Associated Press | |