News Release

Hiker Fatality along Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park-November 2023

The Devil's Corkscrew along the Bright Angel Trail

NPS/J. Baird

News Release Date: November 17, 2023

Contact: Joëlle Baird, 928-606-3154

On November 16 at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center was alerted of an emergency by a personal locator beacon on the Bright Angel Trail, approximately 1.5 miles north of Havasupai Gardens. A hiker was reported unresponsive, and a rescuer immediately responded on foot from Havasupai Gardens.

Additional National Park Service (NPS) search and rescue personnel responded via helicopter. Upon arrival, rangers pronounced the hiker deceased.

The victim has been identified as 65-year-old, James Handschy of Oracle, Arizona who was attempting to hike from the South Rim to the river and back.

An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the NPS in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner. No additional information is available at this time.

-NPS-