Canyoneer dies after falling more than 150 feet at Zion National Park
A canyoneer died after accidentally falling between 150 and 200 feet while at the Zion National Park in Utah over the weekend, according to the National Park Service.
The unidentified 40-year-old man was canyoneering with three others through the Heaps Canyon when the incident occurred, park officials said. After receiving a report of the fall on Saturday, Zion National Park's search and rescue team and the Washington County Sheriff's Office arrived and attempted to save the man's life.
A helicopter from the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) extracted the man, according to the NPS. It flew him to an area near Watchman Campground where the Hurricane Valley Fire and Rescue and Intermountain Life Flight continued to render aid, park officials said.
He was pronounced dead before he could be flown to a hospital.
Hiker's cause of death under investigation
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time,” Zion National Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh said in a news release.
On Sunday morning, two of the three remaining canyoneers were extracted by a DPS helicopter, according to park officials.
Zion's search and rescue team helped the third canyoneer rappel down the canyon, and the individual reached the ground safely at 2 p.m. that day.
Zion National Park and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the man’s death.