Texas man collapses, dies while hiking on Grand Canyon River Trail in extreme heat
A Texas man collapsed and died on a trail in Grand Canyon National State Park over the weekend, as officials warn of the dangers of extreme heat.
Park officials received a report of a semiconscious hiker on the River Trail halfway between Silver Bridge and Black Bridge near Phantom Ranch around 7 p.m. Saturday. The hiker, identified as 69-year-old Scott Sims from Austin, Texas, became unresponsive shortly after.
Bystanders attempted CPR before three park service paramedics from Phantom Ranch responded to the scene and took over. CPR attempts were unsuccessful.
Sims was hiking to Phantom Ranch for an overnight stay, park officials said.
The Coconino County Medical Examiner and the National Park Service were investigating the incident.
Trail temperatures can exceed 120℉, Grand Canyon officials say
Even in the shade, exposed portions of the Grand Canyon's trails can exceed 120℉ (49℃) in the summer, according to the park's news release. Park rangers encourage hikers to avoid trails in the inner canyon during the heat of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The summer months can also hinder assistance to hikers, the release continues:
"Be aware that efforts to assist hikers may be delayed during the summer months due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, employee safety requirements, and limited helicopter flying capability during periods of extreme heat or inclement weather."
How many people have died at the Grand Canyon?
The Grand Canyon National Park has been found to be the third deadliest in the U.S., data gathered by the National Park Service shows. From July 2013 to July 2023, 136 deaths were reported in the Grand Canyon.
With an average of 5 million visitors per year, the natural wonder experienced a total of 10 guest fatalities in 2023, and 11 the year before. Since the 19th century, over 900 people have died at Arizona's largest tourist attraction, averaging 12 deaths per year.
More on national park deaths: These 2 Arizona national parks are among the deadliest in the country. Here's why
The most common type of death, according to statistics, are airplane and helicopter crashes, followed by falling. The report goes on to state that falls can be both accidental and intentional, with death by suicide occurring more often than the former.
The report highlighted environmental deaths such as dehydration and starvation, along with drownings in the Colorado River, as additional factors contributing to the park's mortality rate.
— Arizona Republic reporters Vivian Barrett and Coleby Phillips contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas man dies on Grand Canyon hiking trail amid extreme heat
