Three deaths have occurred at the Grand Canyon National Park since July 31, including the recent discovery of Leticia Castillo’s body, found 150 feet below an overlook on the South Rim. Castillo, 20, was reported missing on August 3. Another death involved a BASE jumper found 500 feet below Yavapai Point, where BASE jumping is prohibited. In July, Indiana college student Abel Mejia fell to his death near an overlook. Investigations are ongoing for these fatalities.
The park spokesperson noted that the summer months present challenging conditions at the park, leading to an increase in dangerous incidents and fatalities. Between 2014 and 2023, there have been an average of 17 deaths per year at the park. Hiking has been identified as the most dangerous recreational activity at the park based on National Park Service data.
While the park sees between 2 million and 5 million visitors annually, fatalities have been recorded in significant numbers. The National Park Service has implemented restrictions on activities like BASE jumping to prevent accidents. Additionally, a little-visited national park, North Cascades in Washington state, was found to have the highest fatality rate in the country based on an NBC News analysis. These incidents highlight the importance of safety measures and precautions when visiting national parks.
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