Grand Canyon Heat Kills 3 Hikers as Inner Canyon Temperatures Top 109F
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jun 20
Grand Canyon Heat Kills 3 Hikers as Inner Canyon Temperatures Top 109F
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jun 20
Summary
Three hikers died on two separate days in the Grand Canyon’s inner canyon after apparent heat-related illnesses, with victims identified as a 72-year-old man, a 67-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman.
June 12 and June 16 incidents struck on the South Kaibab and North Kaibab trails, where midday shade temperatures can exceed 109F, and all three died before rescuers could reach them despite aerial support.
National Park Service officials said heat-related illnesses have increased in recent weeks and urged inner-canyon hikers to avoid trails between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Coconino County’s medical examiner has taken the bodies, and investigations into the deaths are continuing.