Travel Tragedy
Dallas-area man tragically falls to his death while vacationing at Grand Canyon
A North Texas man fell to his death at the Grand Canyon while on vacation with his family. According to park officials, the body of John N. Anderson, 53, of Grapevine, was found on Saturday, March 15. Officials performed CPR but were unable to revive Anderson, who fell 350 feet from the South Rim ledge near El Tovar Lodge.
There is currently an investigation into Anderson's death. No foul play is suspected, and the Coconino County Medical Examiner has ruled the death accidental.
Park spokesperson Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski says it will take several weeks to generate an official report on Anderson's death. Grand Canyon chief ranger Bill Wright told the Associated Press he believed Anderson may have slipped while trying to retrieve his hat.
According to the book Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon, about 10 people die at national park every year, mostly due to heat stroke and dehydration. Since the park's inception, there have been at least 55 accidental deaths by falling; 40 of the victims were men.