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Loading ...Young girl dies in Grand Canyon fall
Trailboss October 11th, 2007
Information gathered from various news sources reveal a young girl fell from an area near Mather Point that is not protected by guard rails. According to reports, the child was walking along a path near Mather Point when she got too close to the edge and fell. So far there has been no detailed information as to how or why the girl fell the 450 feet to her death. The young girl’s father, a Luke Air Force Base pilot, rushed down the trail to administer CPR immediately after she fell. The girl was pronounced dead at the scence by medical personnel. She is the youngest person to ever die from a fall from the rim.
The family of the girl was vacationing at the Canyon on Tuesday when the girl fell to her death. This is the second fatality in the Canyon this year. Park officals report that 2-3 people each year are victims of accidental falls in the Canyon.
Park officials stated that a young girl falling is very unusual. Typically, young men are the victims of these kinds of accidents as they put themselves in dangerous positions getting too close to the rim to either look below or take photos.
This death brings up the importance of being careful when visiting the Grand Canyon. Many of the most popular viewing spots have guard rails to protect visitors from accidentally falling from the rim but many other popular areas have pathways that run right up the the edge so visitors can get a more “natural” look at the canyon.
Our advice is to be very cognizant of your surroundings especially if you are taking photos. Many people lose sight of their physical location as they are staring through a viewfinder for just the right shot. Read the warnings signs that are posted along the trails. They are there for a reason. Don’t think the warnings don’t apply to you. The warnings apply to anyone that is using the trails. Take special care during the summer months to carry enough water. Many of the trails are completely exposed to the sun most of the day and there is no shade and there is no place to get water.
Have fun at the Grand Canyon but be careful.
More information on this accident.
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I was on a visit to my cousins in Flagstaff and they took me to see the Grand Canyon on 2nd October, 2007 where I took a number of photos from various view-points, taking great care to keep away from the edge.
It is mystery to me as to why this little girl was allowed to roam unsupervised, and at the very least, not to be on a very short halter.
My son, who now has a 9 year-old boy and a 2 year-old girl was always in my sight when he was little, particularly in a situation where it could be dangerous. My son has always had the same outlook as myself, and takes great care that his children are always on a short leash.
My heart goes out to Natalie’s parents, it must be the most devastating event in their lives.