NPS reports tragic death of man attempting illegal BASE jump at the Grand Canyon
A male passed away after trying an unlawful BASE leap in the Grand Canyon in Arizona, authorities disclosed on Friday.
The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center got a notification around 7:30 a.m. local time Thursday of a guest who had undertaken a base leap from Yavapai Point on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, the National Park Service stated.
“Park rangers responded and located the body of a deceased male approximately 500 feet below the rim, along with a deployed parachute,” NPS stated in a statement.
The body of the BASE jumper was retrieved Friday morning. The victim was airlifted to the rim and then taken to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office, which is leading an inquiry into the occurrence along with NPS.
The identity of the victim is being kept secret pending positive identification, NPS stated. No additional details were provided.
BASE stands for building, antenna, span, and earth. The leisure sport involves leaping from a fixed object and using a parachute to descend to the ground.
The “high-risk activity” is forbidden in all regions of Grand Canyon National Park, NPS mentioned.
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The occurrence happened a day after a 20-year-old man unintentionally plunged 400 feet to his demise from a picturesque overlook at the Grand Canyon, authorities stated.