News Release

Boater Fatality on the Colorado River at Hance Rapid

Hance Rapid is located where Red Canyon intersects with the Colorado River at River Mile 77. This is a highly technical and powerful whitewater rapid that was formed by debris from flash floods that tore through Red Canyon. (NPS Photo)

News Release Date: March 25, 2022

Contact: Joelle Baird, 928-606-3154

On Thursday, March 24 at approximately 11:18 a.m., Grand Canyon National Park was alerted of an emergency by a personal locator beacon from a non-commercial river trip near Hance Rapid on the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center then received a report that CPR was in progress.

Mary Kelley, 68, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, entered the river at the top of Hance Rapid, Colorado River mile 77. Members of the group pulled her out of the water, noted she was unresponsive, and began CPR. Park rangers were flown into the location with the park helicopter and all resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. Kelley was on day nine of a multi-day private boating trip.

An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner. No further information is available at this time.
 

-NPS-