A 67-year-old man died while visiting Grand Canyon National Park on Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths to three in just an eight-day span.
The tourist fell near the Yavapai Geology Museum, which is on the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village, according to the National Park Service. Park rangers responded and found the man’s body about 400 feet below the rim and are now investigating the fall, CNN reported.
Two people died while visiting the canyon last week — a 50-something man from Hong Kong who slipped and fell while taking pictures near Grand Canyon West as part of a tour group.
“The thoughts and prayers of every Grand Canyon West employee remain with the loved ones of this individual and the members of the tour group,” canyon representatives said in a statement.
The first of the three reported deaths was not classified as the result of a fall and is also under investigation by the Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner.
“On average, there about 12 fatalities in the park per year, but a small percentage of those are from fatal falls,” said Vanessa Ceja-Cervantes, a spokeswoman for Grand Canyon National Park. “The causes of those deaths range from heat, to drowning, to medical issues and more. High elevation plays a role in some of the fatalities.”
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