Lucky French tourist survives fall into Grand Canyon

An unnamed 18-year-old French Tourist was counting his luck after he slipped into the Grand Canyon whilst taking pictures near Mather Point on the South rim of Grand Canyon National Park shortly before 3 p.m. today.  The man who plummeted 75 feet before landing unconscious on a ledge was rescued by paramedics who rappelled down to the man’s location where they stabalised him before he was out of the canyon and transported by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Centre.

A statement released by Public Affairs Specialist Shannan D. Marcak of Grand Canyon National Park stated: “Upon arriving at the scene, park rangers spotted the man, conscious but in need of medical assistance, approximately 75 feet below the rim about ¼ mile east of Mather Point. According to witnesses, the man slipped while taking pictures near the rim. Park ranger-paramedics rappelled down to the man’s location in order to assess his injuries, stabilize him and prepare him for transport out of the canyon.”

“At approximately 4:15 p.m., the park helicopter lifted the man out of the canyon via short-haul operation (suspended below the helicopter) and transported him to the park helibase. He was then transported by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center where he is being treated for wrist, ankle and neck injuries. The National Park Service would like to remind all Grand Canyon visitors that approaching the rim can be hazardous due to uneven terrain and loose rock. Visitors are strongly encouraged to stay on the paved Rim Trail which provides a safe vantage point from which to view and take pictures of the canyon,” the statement concluded.

Picture courtesy of Trodel

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