ARIZONA – A 20-year-old college student fell to his death at a South Rim overlook in Grand Canyon National Park this week.
Wednesday morning, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a visitor who fell from the rim approximately near Pipe Creek Overlook. Rangers located the body, identified as Abel Joseph Mejia of North Carolina, 400 feet below the rim.
A park release reported Mejia was near the edge of the rim when he suffered an accidental fall. The incident is currently being investigated by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Between steep cliffs and extreme temperatures, the Grand Canyon has a reputation of being one of the most deadly national parks.
Grand Canyon NP staff encourage all visitors to have a safe visit by staying on designated trails and walkways, always keeping a safe distance of at least six feet from the edge of the rim and staying behind railings and fences at overlooks.
