|
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958
Grand Canyon, Ariz. – At approximately 5:40 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of someone over the edge near Mather Point on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Upon arriving at the scene, approximately one-quarter mile east of Mather Point, rangers spotted a body 400 – 600 feet below the rim. Witnesses indicated that a man was seen running up to and over the edge. 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. At approximately 1:15 p.m., the body was lifted out of the canyon by helicopter via long-line, and transported to the park helibase where it was met by the Coconino County Medical Examiner. 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. -NPS- |
Last updated: February 24, 2015