The body of a missing hiker who was swept away by flash floods in Grand Canyon National Park several days ago was found Sunday, authorities said.
According to the National Park Service (NPS), Chenoa Nickerson, 33, of Gilbert, Arizona, was found dead on the Colorado River by participants on a commercial riverboat tour at approximately 11:30 a.m. Park rangers responded to the scene, recovered the body, and transported it by helicopter to the Coconino County Coroner’s office.
Authorities said Nickerson was hiking near the Havasu River and Beaver Falls around 1:30 p.m. Thursday when flash flooding flooded the area, leaving several hikers stranded above and below the falls.
Park rangers immediately began a rescue effort to evacuate those stranded, but Nickerson was reported missing after apparently being swept into the Havasu River about a half-mile upstream from its confluence with the Colorado River.
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Authorities said Chenoah Nickerson, 33, of Gilbert, Arizona, was found dead in the Colorado River around 11:30 a.m. Sunday. (National Park Service)
Authorities said Nickerson was not wearing a life jacket when flash floods engulfed the area, and search and rescue teams searched for her for several days.
Authorities said Nickerson was not wearing a life jacket when flash flooding swept through the area and swept him into the Havasu River. (National Park Service)
The National Park Service and the Coconino County coroner are investigating the incident, and authorities said no further details were immediately available.
Havasu Creek is a tributary of the Colorado River, and Nickerson’s body was discovered there days after being swept away by a flash flood, authorities said. (National Park Service)
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“It’s a disaster,” said Rochelle Tilushi, who lives near Havasu Creek. FOX10 Phoenix Last week, those beautiful skies suddenly gave way to a downpour that lasted for at least 30 minutes.
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“It was very scary,” Tilushi said. “It was the second biggest flood I’ve ever experienced in my life.”
