News Release

Hiker Who Suffered Fatal Cardiac Arrest Identified

Date: July 12, 2018
Contact: Margie Steigerwald, [phone]

Copper Center, AK— The man who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while hiking with family on the Root Glacier Trail in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve on Tuesday has been identified as 53-year old Scott Griffith of Fairbanks, Alaska.

Griffiths was returning from a hike on the Root Glacier when he experienced cardiac arrest. Park staff, local guide personnel and good Samaritans responded to the incident. Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was administered for nearly an hour until medical professionals directed responders to suspend the efforts. The exact cause of death is under investigation.

The Root Glacier Trail is one of the most popular trails in the park. It extends north from Kennecott to access the Root Glacier and is traveled by dozens of guided groups and individuals daily in the summer. Even though the Kennecott area trails are welltraveled, the park reminds visitors that the park is remote and emergency medical care may be hours away.