Two more fatalities along the Colorado River bring Grand Canyon deaths to 16 death this year

The National Park Service announced two more fatalities in Grand Canyon National Park this week.

Patrick Horton, 59, of Salida, Colorado, died early this week on the 10th day of a non-commercial river trip. He was reportedly found deceased by members of his group in the area of the river named “Poncho’s Kitchen,” near river mile 137.

Park rangers responded to the scene, and an investigation into the cause of death is ongoing.

The next day, Grand Canyon officials reported that they had received a missing person call to the Grand Canyon Regional Communications center the previous evening.

Park rangers responded via helicopter and located a body in the Colorado River near river mile 63.5, according to an official statement. Initial information suggests the body is that of a 71-year-old male who had been reported missing from the area of Lower Nankoweap Camp along the river.

Last month, the park reported six deaths in the park.

These two deaths bring the total fatality count for 2024 up to 16. This is the second highest in the past five years, behind 23 fatalities in 2021.