The hiker was on the River Trail attempting to reach Phantom Ranch for an overnight stay, park officials said.
GRAND CANYON VILLAGE, Ariz. — A hiker at the Grand Canyon died on Saturday, National Park Services officials said.
On June 29 around 7 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a semi-conscious hiker on the River Trail, approximately halfway between the Silver Bridge and the Black Bridge near Phantom Ranch.
The hiker became unresponsive and bystanders initiated CPR while three NPS paramedics responded from Phantom Ranch. The resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful and the hiker, later identified as 69-year-old Scott Sims from Austin, Texas, died.
It was identified that Sims was attempting to reach Phantom Ranch for an overnight stay via the South Kaibab Trail.
In the summer, temperatures on exposed parts of the trail can reach over 120 degrees even in the shade. Park rangers strongly advise not hiking in the inner canyon during the heat of the day between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Rangers also advise hikers to be aware that efforts to assist hikers may be delayed during the summer months due to limited staff, the number of rescue calls, employee safety requirements, and limited helicopter flying capability during periods of extreme heat or inclement weather.
An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the NPS in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner. The NPS did not release any further information regarding the incident.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for “12 News KPNX.”
Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.