News Release

One Fatality and Two Injured on Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park

The Colorado River flows through the eastern half of Grand Canyon.

NPS Photo

Subscribe RSS Icon | What is RSS
News Release Date: April 27, 2021

Contact: Kaitlyn Thomas, 202-763-3440

Grand Canyon, Ariz. - On April 26, 2021 at approximately 11:00 a.m. MST, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a satellite phone report of a boating accident on the Colorado River near Kwagunt Rapid at river mile 56. A commercial river trip requested assistance with an overturned motorboat and reported boater injuries.

The park swiftwater rescue team responded with two crews of rescue boats which launched on April 26th and arrived on scene the morning of April 27. Due to adverse weather conditions, the park helicopter was not able to immediately respond.

A 60-year-old female on the trip died in the event. On the afternoon of April 27, the park helicopter evacuated two injured individuals and the deceased. Salvage operations of the overturned boat are ongoing.

An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. No additional information is available at this time.
 

-NPS-



Last updated: April 27, 2021

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Phone:

928-638-7888

Contact Us