| GRAND CANYON —On July 8 at approximately 11:50 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an unresponsive hiker on the South Kaibab Trail, below Cedar Ridge. Bystanders immediately initiated CPR while National Park Service (NPS) medical personnel and volunteers responded on foot. All attempts to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful. The hiker was a 67-year-old male from Alvarado, Texas, who was attempting to reach the Colorado River for an overnight stay at Phantom Ranch. According to reports, the hiker had turned around at Skeleton Point and was making his way back up trail when the incident occurred. In the summer, temperatures on exposed parts of the trail can exceed 120°F (49°C) in the shade, creating extremely hazardous conditions for hikers. In addition to the heat, pre-existing medical conditions can compound physical stress, making summer hiking particularly risky, especially during the peak heat hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Park rangers strongly advise against hiking in the inner canyon during those hours and urge all visitors to take extreme caution when planning hikes during the summer months. Before heading down trail, hikers are encouraged to review the park’s Key Hiking Messages webpage for current trail and weather conditions. 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. |
