A hiker collapsed and died on a trail in Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona over the weekend, leading park officials to warn about the dangers of hiking in extreme heat.
Scott Sims, 69, of Austin, Texas, was found unconscious around 7 p.m. Saturday while on his way to Phantom Ranch for an overnight stay via the South Kaibab Trail, the National Park Service (NPS) said in a statement Monday.
Sims became unresponsive a short time later, and bystanders performed CPR until three National Park Service emergency personnel arrived, according to park officials. All attempts to revive Sims were unsuccessful.
Sims collapsed on the River Trail about halfway between Silver and Black Bridges near Phantom Ranch, where temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit even in the shade on exposed parts of the trail, the National Park Service said.
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Scott Sims was found unconscious on the River Trail in Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday and became unresponsive a short time later. (National Park Service, File)
“Park rangers strongly advise against hiking within the canyon during the hottest hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” the National Park Service said.
According to the National Park Service, temperatures on the trail can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, even in the shade. (Patrick Gorski/NurPhoto via Getty Images, File)
Officials said staffing shortages, increased rescue calls, safety requirements for staff and restrictions on helicopter use during hot and bad weather could slow rescue efforts for hikers this summer.
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The NPS and Coroner Coconino are investigating the death, and the cause of death has not been released at this time.
The cause of death was not immediately revealed. (Patrick Gorski/NurPhoto via Getty Images, File)
The fatal accident comes after a Salt Lake City fire captain was killed in a rafting accident at Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado.
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Ann NPS Death Investigation A study conducted in national parks between 2014 and 2019 found that hiking is the second deadliest recreational activity after driving, and drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death after car accidents.
