Overview
- Park rangers received reports around 1:40 p.m. of an 18-year-old male showing heat-related symptoms below Havasupai Gardens and later found him about 30 feet below the Bright Angel Trail.
- Rangers performed lifesaving measures and coordinated a helicopter rescue, but the victim died after emergency response efforts proved unsuccessful.
- Officials confirmed the incident occurred during a day hike from the South Rim to the Colorado River and said the hiker’s name is being withheld while next-of-kin are notified.
- The National Park Service placed the case with the Coconino County Medical Examiner, which will determine the official cause of death as the park continues its review.
- The death underscores known hazards of deep-canyon day hikes below Havasupai Gardens, which the NPS does not recommend because of long distances, about 5,000 feet of elevation change round-trip, and extreme heat that can overwhelm even young hikers; the park has seen numerous rescues and fatalities in recent months.