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4-Year-old Dies in Fall off South Rim of Grand Canyon

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Grand Canyon near Mather Point; 'sbisson' via Flickr.

Grand Canyon near Mather Point; 'sbisson' via Flickr.

A 4-year-old girl has been killed in a fall from the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Park officials say the unidentified girl fell about 450 feet off the rim about 11:30 this morning from a point just west of Mather Point, the most popular scenic view in the park.

The girl's father scrambled down the cliff below the rim to reach his daughter. When rescue crews arrived on scene, the father had already begun CPR; however, the girl was pronounced dead on scene shortly thereafter, the park reported.

The South Entrance Road along Mather Point was closed for a short time while a long-haul operation was conducted to remove the girl's body from the canyon. The father was then removed via a short haul operation due to an ankle injury sustained from scrambling over the edge.

National Park Service rangers are investigating the accident.

Comments

God Bless this family. 

Pray for peace & help them heal.

What a tragedy for everyone.


I was just there for the first time and i couldnt believe how many people go so close to the edge for pictures or to get better looks as if its not big enough. Its mind blowing to think people are so careless. 


I think that all parents with children under the age of say, 10, should be required to secure young children with leash-harnesses to their belt.  Actually this would free the parents to enjoy the sight without constantly having to watch tots.  These harnesses could be available to rent on deposit from the nearest ranger station. All grand canyon advertising and websites should tell prospective visitors that parents they must secure their children this way. 


Don't go on the red line! There are straight drop offs from the trail without any barriers or guards in many places! I'm 43, have been to another place at the canyon before and I was so afraid of falling today! I've never been to this part before and couldn't believe the narrow path I believe at Monument Creek Vista... the south west rim we went to a few years back was nothing like the red line... after researching a little I noticed (besides people that crossed the barriers which are either rock or fence) many are Mather point or west of... be mindful of this as I didn't expect it.


Truthfully, same thing happened to me. But, I survived. My father caught me. I was fast and I didn't like holding my mom's hand. 


When I visited the Grand Canyon with two children, 8 and 5 years old we were very cautious. out of an over abundance of caution I put my 5 year old on a backpack leash and my spouse held my older sons hand. We had so many people, including other families, making fun of us having a backpack leash for our younger son. We saw a lot of kids running, and jumping along around, which is frightening.


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