Badger Rapid

[hikeaz]

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. -- A tourist man from Germany died in a kayaking accident at Grand Canyon National Park.

Park officials said 43-year-old Hans Uhl was part of a commercial river trip.

The group had just started its multiday trip on the Colorado River on Wednesday when park officials received a call around 2 p.m. about an unconscious kayaker at Badger Rapids.

Authorities said Uhl's kayak capsized and he was unable to right himself.

A safety boat was able to reach the kayak, but authorities said Uhl couldn't be resuscitated.

An investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County medical examiner.

Uhl's hometown in Germany wasn't immediately available Thursday.

Badger Rapid at Mile 8, which is the first major rapid through Grand Canyon. Large side canyons on either side of the river have pushed large amounts of boulders in the channel. Note the V shaped tongue in the middle at the top of the rapid. This is where boats should enter Badger Rapid and continue in a fairly straight line to the smooth water at the end.

[azbackpackr]

That's the third upside down kayaker I've heard about in the past 2 years. For the first two accidents, one was caused by inattention, apparently, because the man had put the skirt on with the pull loop tucked inside where he could not get to it. The second (very recent) accident happened due to alcohol. So, I suppose we'll find out later on why this one happened.

Anyway, extremely unfortunate and sad.

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