Base jumper who illegally leapt from top of Grand Canyon meets terrible fate
A thrill-seeker who attempted an illegal parachute jump from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon has died.
The daredevil attempted a BASE jump from Yavapai Point in the National Park on August 1 at around 7:30 a.m.
However, his attempt was unsuccessful and the next day his body with the parachute deployed was found by park rangers about 500 feet below the South Rim.
The victim was airlifted to the outskirts of town and then taken to the Coconino County Coroner’s Office.
His identity has not yet been confirmed as authorities are still awaiting a positive identification.
A thrill-seeking man who attempted to illegally BASE jump from Yavapai Point in Grand Canyon National Park was found dead yesterday
BASE is an acronym that stands for four categories of fixed objects that you can jump from: buildings, antennas (radio towers), spans (bridges), and earth (cliffs).
Adventurers who participate in this recreational but extremely dangerous sport jump from fixed objects and descend to the ground using only one parachute. A popular form of jumping is wingsuit BASE jumping.
BASE jumping is prohibited in all areas of Grand Canyon National Park.
The National Park Service and the Coconino County Coroner’s Office are investigating the incident.
His body was found by park rangers with the parachute deployed about 500 feet below the South Rim
The National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office are conducting an investigation into the incident
News of the tragic incident comes a day after a 20-year-old college student accidentally fell 400 feet (122 meters) after walking off the hiking trail at the Grand Canyon.
Abel Joseph Mejia of Hickory, North Carolina, was found 400 feet “below the rim” of the Pipe Creek Overlook by National Park Service (NPS) personnel around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, the NPS said in a news release. press release.
“Mr. Mejia was near the edge of the ledge when he accidentally fell,” the NPS said.
Joelle Baird, spokesperson for Grand Canyon National Park, said AZ family that Mejia was walking off the beaten path, ‘which is very normal for many of our visitors here.’
Abel Joseph Mejia of Hickory, North Carolina, was found 400 feet “below the rim” of the Pipe Creek Overlook by National Park Service (NPS) personnel around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday
This year, nine people have died at the Grand Canyon due to heart problems, natural causes, suicide and more
The National Park Service, which is currently investigating the death, is reminding park visitors to “always maintain a safe distance of at least six feet from park edges and to remain behind fences and railings at viewpoints.”
Turning Point Pentecostal Church said in a Facebook post that Mejia was on a “missionary trip” when the fatal fall occurred.
According to Baird, nine people have died in the Grand Canyon this year from heart problems, natural causes, suicide and more.
The last time there was a fatal fall at the Grand Canyon was in 2022, she noted.
According to the NPS, Grand Canyon National Park is considered one of the most dangerous parks in the country, with approximately 17 deaths each year.
More than 4 million people visit the city every year.