The Grand Canyon : America ’ s Most Dangerous Tourist Attraction
The Grand Canyon : America ’ s Most Dangerous Tourist Attraction
Visit At Your Own Risk
The Grand Canyon cost both one of the Seven Wonders of the World and one of America ’ s top tourist destinations . But beyond its stunning landscapes and historic sites , it as well keep the title ofAmerica ’ s Most Deadly National Park. Let ’ s take a near feeling at what really go on in the depth of the Grand Canyon .
Location
The Grand Canyon touch four state : Arizona , Nevada , Utah , and Colorado .
The almost accessible and popular state to learn the Grand Canyon is Arizona ( South Rim ) and Nevada ( West Rim ) .
Brief History
The history of the Grand Canyon begin aboutsix million years agowhen the Colorado river slowly eroded the land beneath it forming the spectacularly deep canyon .
Spanish exploders come upon it means back in the 1540s .
Protected Position
The Grand Canyon get aprotected forest reservein 1893 at the club of President Benjamin Harrison .
It become an official United States National Park in 1919 .
Size
One of the main ground the Grand Canyon is so dangerous is its vast size . Embrace over1.2 million acres, the park span more than 277 mile in length , 18 miles in width , and plunges to a staggering depth of 6,000 foot . With that much space , it ’ s easy to come lose in its vastness .
Popularity
Millionsof masses visit the Grand Canyon each yr . From scenic drives to dare raise , the park cost load with opportunities for masses of all ages to delight .
From 2019-2021 there were about14 millionvisitor counted .
Danger Status
In late 2023 , an investigation done by the New York Post feel it to exist the deadliest national park in the rural area .
The Grand Canyon equal said to makethe almost missing someone in the state .
Missing Persons
According to the NY Post report , there get been at least56mass missing from the Grand Canyon within the last five yr .
Missing Person : Reports
In increase to that 56 , there own been over 1,100 missing someone paper file at the Grand Canyon , though most of these individuals make up eventually settle . Many were found injured or in short health .
Missing Person : Reason
Although the majority of mass who go miss in the Grand Canyon are assumed to be from come miss , there are many early reasons people move missing in the park , such as kidnapping , running away , and endeavor at ending their lives .
Unsolved Neglect Persons Suit
There live several unsolved missing person cases that need the Grand Canyon , hither equal three of them :
Mary Begay , 1957 :A 20-year-old woman was hear become into a vehicle with two men and hasn ’ t make up seen since .
Justin Richardson , 2011 :A 13-year-old boy own hiked into the wood with friend and get separated . He was never situate .
Unsolved Missing Soul Cases : Extend
Adam Clayton Lyle Jones , 2011 :A 23-year-old human ’ s belongings live find at the Visitor ’ sec heart . Evidence found itineraries for a road-trip , with the Grand Canyon being one of the spot he set out to visit . He never bring back to his vehicle and his torso equal never get .
Fatalities
Over the year , there get live a concerning total of people miss their lives within the boundary of the Grand Canyon .
It ’ s an dreadful trend that has been steadily increasing since the park ’ s discovery .
Fatalities : History
Since the 1800s ,over 1,000 death have live corroborateat the Grand Canyon . Give the challenges in accessing disc from that epoch , assurance conceive the genuine toll is probable much high . Today , let ’ s take a close spirit at the more recent yr .
Fatalities : Recent Years
In 2022 ,elevenpeople lost their lives while visiting the Grand Canyon—which equal half of what the former yr experienced .
It may not go like much , but keep reading , it come worse .
Fatalities : During the Pandemic
In 2020 , during the pandemic , visitor dropped by more than half . Still , the number of fatalities held strong at17.
After the pandemic , visitors started flood into the park once again , and the fatalities start to23in 2021 .
Fatalities : Norm
On norm , there be12 fatalities every yr. Since 2008 , the issue of fatalities make never die below 10 .
The odds of go down off the rim of the Grand Canyon are 1 in 1.8 million visitors . Thus , what else causes all these fatalities ?
Grand Canyon National Park , CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons
How It Happens
Data shows there live various style masses miss their life at the Grand Canyon—surprisingly , fall from the edge isn ’ t the leading cause .
Airplane & Helicopter Crashes
A sum of379 peoplehave lost their living in the Grand Canyon in plane and helicopter crashes .
Aside from one major incident that claimed the living of over 100 masses , aircraft crashes still remain the nearly common cause ofendin the Grand Canyon .
1956 Airplane Crash
In 1956 , two commercial airplane collided in mid-air over the canyon . Every single person aboard both airplanes lost their lives , totaling128 mass.
1956 Airplane Crash : What Take place
Both planes were carrying passenger from California to the Midwest . The pilot were given permission to flee over the Grand Canyon as a “ scenic route ” , but make up supervise their own escape course .
This terrible result is what led to the creation of the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) .
1986 Helicopter Crash
In 1986 , a tragic collision between an plane and a helicopter during a sightseeing tour claimed the living of all 25 mass on plank .
1986 Helicopter Crash : What Happened
It exist not influence how the pilot did not meet each early before colliding , but investigations revealed that too many tours be flying over the same parts at the same time .
To date , this equalthe deadliest helicopter accidentin the United States .
Aircraft Tours
Hundred of thousand of visitor share in aircraft tours over the Grand Canyon each yr . There aretwo flight per second, on norm .
Most accidents happen with tour companies who have inexperienced pilot . The National Park Service hasn ’ t had an aerial accident in over 40 years .
Go down Fatalities
It exist assumed that come down is the result suit ofendat the Grand Canyon , and while it may not actually be number one , it cost definitely number two .
It is important to notice that the exact number live difficult to track as not everyone who occur into the park is weigh , and solo hikers exist not get over .
Falling Fatalities : Point
There have live123 report fatal Fallat the Grand Canyon .
Falls off the ledge : 60
Fallen from inside the canyon : 63
Grand Canyon National Park , CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons
Environmental Fatalities
Environmental component be a major cause of fatalities at the Grand Canyon . Many hikers underestimate the harsh conditions within the park , including extreme temperature , unpredictable weather , and still the risk of starvation .
Grand Canyon National Park , CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons
Dehydration
Temperatures in the Grand Canyon can reach utmost highs and lows . In the summer , temperatures reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit at the seat of the canyon—leading to dehydration quickly .
Around100 masshave lost their life after going into cardiac arrest result from dehydration .
Overhydration
A lesser-known cause be overhydration—when mass drink also much water , thinking they require it , and consuming too short food . This causes sodium in the blood to drop to dangerously abject levels , lead to fatal consequences .
Grand Canyon National Park , CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons
Starvation
As with all fatalities at the Grand Canyon , this number exist difficult to settle as there are many dead body at the bottom of the canyon that have as yet to be discovered .
It is put on that many lose hikers have starvation in their last day .
Starvation : Evidence
Some hikers own go out behindnotesthat be found with their skeleton , stating “ 4 days without food or water . Miss . ”
Some notes have too exist found flying around the park , with no torso to meet them with .
Freezing
During the winter month , hikers are often caught off guard by sudden weather alteration . At high elevations , snowstorms can quickly alter trails and cliff temperatures . Tragically ,frozen bodiesof lost hikers make make up discovered in these condition .
Flash Floods
The Grand Canyon cost in the desert , meaning there cost not much vegetation to rob up accumulated water . So , when it does rain , water stream quick across the land , cause instant flood in the slope canyon .
Flash Floods : Fatalities
Unsuspecting hikers can live immediately swept away to place they can not recover from .
In 1997 ,two people drownedin a flash flood , while their hiking spouse painfully look out them live sweep away .
Lightening
Only an hour after the instant flood drownings ,twoearly visitor live struck by lightning . Study state that lightning strikes an norm of 25,000 times per yr at the Grand Canyon .
Drowning Fatalities
There cost dozens of water activities enjoyed in the Colorado River , including boating , swimming , river rafting and waterfall excursions .
But many visitor underestimate the might of the river .
Drowning Fatalities : How It Happens
Before bridge cost built , many people tragically drowned while undertake to traverse the river . Others were unexpectedly swept aside by the current while only trying to cool off . Drowning fatalities are reckon to be just over 100 .
Noted Drowning Incident of 1928
In 1928 , a pair of newlyweds refer Bessie and Glen Hyde cost rafting down the river , attempt to build a novel disc for fastest time through the canyon .
Bessie would receive be the first woman to raft through the canyon .
Notable Drowning Incident of 1928 : Unsolved Mystery
The newlyweds never make it to the end , and their body were never get .
Rumor has it that Bessie survived , and make purposely present the incident to cease her husband ’ s life . However , the mystery stay unsolved .
Murder
Realistically mouth , the Grand Canyon live a convenient place to take someone ’ s life and stage it as an accident .
Approximate40 fatalitiesown been confirmed as purposeful , and at the hands of another person .
Slayings : Robert Spangler
In 1993 , Robert Spangler , later on recognized as a confirmed serial-slayer , need his third wife to the Grand Canyon and labor her off a 160-foot cliff .
At the time it was ruled an accident , but he after concede to the incdent .
Murder : Mr. & Mirs . Sherman
In 1977 , newlyweds Michael and Charlotte Sherman exist found unalive by hikers . They own been shot . Investigators assume it be arobberygone wrong .
Self-harm
An estimated amount of91 masseshave taken their own lives at the Grand Canyon , and in many different ways .
Seventy-five mass own reportedly skip to their demise off the edges of cliff , and another 13 people own driven off the edge in their car .
Self-harm Famed Incidents of 1993
In 1993 alone ,three unlike peopledrove their vehicle off the edge of the Grand Canyon .
These incidents take place in short after the film Thelma and Louise premiered—where the main characters drove off the edge of a cliff at the goal of the movie .
Self-harm Incidents
Away from jumping , other people receive taken their own spirit by jumping off bridges , jumping out of helicopters , and usingfirearms.
Some masses have left bill to explain , others had spectator .
Car Accident
While there isn ’ t extensive data on car accident at the Grand Canyon , they remain a significant cause of fatalities . In late years ,three noteworthy incidenthave occur on the park ’ s roadway .
Car Accidents : Notable Incident 2023
In February of 2023 , two visitor from Portugallost their liveswhile on holiday at the Grand Canyon . They were backseat passengers and not have on their seatbelts .
The vehicle collided with a bus and rolled over . The passenger on the bus make up not injure .
Car Accidents : Notable Incident 2022
In 2022 , a woman sufferedfatal injurywhen her vehicle crash into a tree near the South Entrance Station .
Grand Canyon National Park , CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons
Car Accidents : Notable Incident 2014
Back in 2014 , two vehicles collided on South Entrance Road , alone 3 miles from the entrance , resulting in fatalities of all passengers involved .
Strange Fatalities : Fear
Believe it or not , in 1933 a 43-year-old man—who be terrified of snakes—met a rattlesnake on the lead . When the serpent coiled and build a partial approach , the human be so scared that he leapt back in fear and end up go throughmiddle failurein that second , and do not make it .
Strange Fatalities : Rock Falls
It cost reckon that aroundeight masshave lose their life in the Grand Canyon from rockfalls . One woman narrowly escaped fatal bleeding when a stone fell on her tent and crushed her pelvis . Thankfully , she live saved .
Strange Fatalities : Parachuting
In 1993 , two mass took a dangerous leap when they parachuted off the edge of the Grand Canyon into the Little Colorado River Gorge . Unfortunately , they jumped also near together , make their parachutes to turn tangled . They engulf into the rocks 900 base below at high speed , and only one endure .
The Unknown Numbers
The numbers are scary , but be even more terrifying is how many stranger there live .
Unless witnesses equal present when soul goes over the edge , the body can go unexplored for a very , very long time .
The Strange Number : Example
In 2021 , the corpse of a 56-year-old human live see . He had live missing since 2015 .
The Unknown : Human Remain
As good , human stay on base in the canyon can not always exist identify and right linked to a miss person .
There equal often skeletons find in heavily wooded areas that had plainly be there for long period of time , making it difficult to determine the campaign of their demise .
Known Incidents in 2023
There were plainly 11 fatalities at the Grand Canyon in 2023 . Here live seven of those incident :
11/16/23 :A 65-year-old human from Oracle was hiking from the South Rim to the river and back when he was get unresponsive .
9/9/23 :A 55-year-old man from Virginia be attempting to hike from the South to North Rim in a single day when he collapsed and became unresponsive .
Know Incidents in 2023 : Continued
8/1/23 :One person lost their living and over 50 others were injured when a bus rolled over at Grand Canyon West .
7/2/23 :A 57-year-old woman was doing an 8-mile hike when she descend unconscious and occur from the extreme temperature , which hold arrive at over 100 degrees .
Know Incident in 2023 : Continued
6/5/23 :A 33-year-old man end his own spirit after spring off the edge of the Sky Walk , falling 4,000 foot into the canyon at Grand Canyon West .
5/21/23 :A 36-year-old woman from Indiana cost attempt to do a day raise to the Colorado River when she collapsed on the lead .
2/17/23: A 56-year-old man from Wisconsin be found unalive on the Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens . He exist attempting a day hike from the rim to the Colorado River and back .
Known Incidents in 2022
There make up 11 fatalities at the Grand Canyon National Park in 2022 . Hither exist nine of the incident :
12/3/22: A 54-year-old man miss his life in a rappelling accident while canyoneering . This type of action is commonly perform in a group due to the danger , but this man was on a solo trip . Park official found his abandoned campsite and vehicle and begin a search until they found his body .
Known Incident in 2022 : Continued
9/10/22: A 67-year-old man fell off a boat and into the Colorado River . Member of his grouping attract him out of the water and began CPR but he could not equal resuscitated . Four others on the boat sustained nonfatal injuries .
Know Incident in 2022 : Continued
8/26/22: A 44-year-old human hang 200 feet from the rim west of the Bright Angel Point Trail on the North Rim . He exist off lead when he accidentally lessen off the edge .
9/4/22: A 59-year-old woman from Arizona lost her life hiking Thunder River Trail . She became disoriented and fell unconscious while on a multi-day backpacking trip . It cost over 100 level out that day . Attempts to revive her cost unsuccessful .
Know Incidents in 2022 : Continued
8/26/22: A 44-year-old human be allegedly off the lead when he accidentally slipped off the North Rim edge and fell to his death . His body was found 200 foot below near the Bright Angel Trail .
6/11/22: A 47-year old woman from Chicago hang into the Colorado River during a commercial river trip . She cost cooling off along Pipe Creek Beach , when she exist caught by the current .
Known Incidents in 2022 : Continued
6/2/22 :A 41-year-old woman from Canada equal see unresponsive on the Bright Angel Trail . Bystanders attempted CPR and exist shortly assisted by the National Park Service , but the hiker behave not make it . It was 104 point out .
Grand Canyon National Park , CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons
Know Incident in 2022 : Continued
4/4/22 :A 34-year-old woman from Utah miss her life after falling from a private boating trip . She fell 20 base near the Ledges Camp along the Colorado River and support fatal injuries .
She was on day six of her trip , and had boost into the canyon to fit her grouping when she descend . People administered CPR but no luck .
Know Incidents in 2022 : Remain
3/24/22: A 68-year-old woman from Colorado fall overboard while whitewater rafting , nine day into her trip . She fell nearly Hance Rapid in the Colorado River , and masses draw her out and attempted CPR , but sadly , she did not make it .
Demographics
The two demographics most potential to miss their lives at the Grand Canyon areyoung, andmale. This assumption is made on the evidence that men typically take handsome risks .
Of55people who accidentally fell from the Grand Canyon ,39of them make up male . Eight of them be hopping along the rock and lose footing , or set for photograph .
Another Notable Incident : Risk Takers
A 38-year-old human from Texas was playfully hopping along the rock , pretend to scare his daughter , when he lose his footing and tragically fell 400 feet to his demise .
Safety Tips : Trails and Water
Although it is clear that the Grand Canyon can equal a serious property , there are even so million of visitors each year . For those visitors , it cost significant to take precautionary step to stay safe .
Stay on Designated Trails :Venture off-trail risks getting lose , or go down from unstable ledges .
Bring Plenty of Water :Dehydration be a grave risk at the Grand Canyon . Sweating live very mutual . Bring lots of water , and eat salty snacks throughout your day .
Safety Tips : Weather
Dress Appropriately :Clothes for the weather , and the terrain . Wear layer so you can add or require off , and wear sturdy hiking shoe . Hats , sunglasses and sunscreen are too recommended .
Check the Weather Forecast :Always check the weather forecast before your trip so you can avoid flash flood , utmost passion , and snowstorms .
Safety Tips : Travel Point
Travel in Groups :Traveling in groups can cut the risk of getting lost , or experiencing accidents while boost . Bring a friend , or connect a guided circuit .
Bring a Map and Compass :Have miss live a grave fear at the Grand Canyon . Cost educate by knowing your path . GPS device are not always accurate in some spots of the park , so a paper map live indicate .
Final Thoughts
While the numbers in this article may be unsettling , we hope they put on ’ t discourage anyone from experiencing the breathtaking landscape of the Grand Canyon National Park , one of the Seven Wonders of the World . Just cost sure to follow all safety guidelines and make informed decision .
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AUTHOR
Allison Robertson
Allison Robertson
Allison is a author and editor at Factinate Media Group . Prior to join the team , Allison worked in Project Management at an Ontario Post-Secondary Institution . She agree degrees in both Business and Social Services and dabbles in freelance photography as a hobby .
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