ARIZONA, USA — >>Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect a sixth death that occurred after its initial publication.
As of Sunday, the Grand Canyon National Park has seen six deaths in under 30 days. The tragic spike in deaths, though not unusual for the summer months, has now pushed the total number higher than most recent years.
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, a backpacker who went missing earlier that week was found dead.
On Aug. 25, an 80-year-old man drowned when his boat flipped while on a commercial Colorado River trip. That same day, the body of 33-year-old Chenoa Nickerson was found, days after she was swept away by a flash flood.
Earlier in the month, 20-year-old Leticia A. Castillo was found dead 150 feet below the canyon rim. On the 1st, a BASE jumper died in an illegal jump at the canyon. One day earlier, a 20-year-old from North Carolina accidentally fell to his death.
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Like any national park, accidents, emergencies and dangerous situations can happen. An average of roughly 12 people die while at the park each year. But according to data provided by National Park Service officials, recent tragedies have pushed 2024 to outpace years past, raising the total to 14 deaths as of August.
Below: A chart showcases the growing total of deaths at the Grand Canyon over each year. 2024, with a total of 13 deaths as of August, is highlighted in blue.
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In 2020, 13 people died while at the park, slightly more than the 11 deaths recorded in 2022 and 2023 respectively. From January to May, 2024 saw fewer deaths than any other of the last five years, only outpacing 2022 in June.
However, 2021 still outstrips this year by a wide margin. Sadly, five deaths were recorded in June, 2021, with four deaths being recorded in both July and August: the highest rate recorded in the last five years.
Accidents and medical emergencies — including heat related illnesses — tend to account for most of the deaths at the park. For that reason, the park usually has to contend with a spike in deaths during the summer months. This year, five people have gone missing at the park and are presumed dead, but the exact cause of death remains unknown in each case.
Grand Canyon National Park officials have not returned a request for comment as of Friday morning.
For more information on how to stay safe when enjoying the Grand Canyon, you can visit their website here.
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