Tourist dies trying to take photo at Grand Canyon
A Chinese tourist has plummeted 300 metres to his death while taking photos at the Grand Canyon, becoming the second fatality at the popular US tourist destination in a week.
On Thursday, the man from Macau, aged in his 50s, was taking pictures at an overlook of the Arizona tourist spot when he slipped and fell, a Grand Canyon West spokesman said.
The man was part of a tour group visiting the Eagle Point observation area at Grand Canyon West.
He was reportedly about 90 metres from the Skywalk horseshoe-shaped glass platform when he slipped and fell over the canyon, according to CNN.
The man’s body was recovered 305 meters below the rim.
Acting police Chief Samuel Tsosie said authorities were investigating but had no indication the fall was anything but an accident.
Second Grand Canyon death in one week
The tourist’s death comes two days after rangers and special agents responded to a fatality of a visitor near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, according to a statement by the National Park Service (NPS).
Last Tuesday, Vanessa Ceja-Cervantes, a spokeswoman for the park, said the body of a foreign national was found in a forested area south of the South Rim Village area of the park.
“On average, there are about 12 fatalities in the park per year, but a small percentage of those are from fatal falls,” Ms Ceja-Cervantes said.
“The causes of those deaths range from heat, to drowning, to medical issues and more. High elevation plays a role in some of the fatalities.”
with Associated Press
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