HikeArizona.COM

Fall from North Rim of Grand Canyon Results in Fatality

Grand Canyon, Ariz. - August 2nd, 2007 - – A man fell approximately 300 feet from the west side of Bright Angel Point on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park at approximately 10:30 a.m. this morning. Bright Angel Point is located one-quarter of a mile southeast of the Grand Canyon Lodge and the North Rim developed area.

After the park’s Dispatch Center received a cell phone call from the victim’s brother, National Park Service (NPS) rangers were dispatched to the scene, but could not make direct contact with the man. The park’s helicopter was launched, rangers were short-hauled to the body and it was confirmed the man had died of injuries suffered during the fall.

The body will be flown to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and then transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office in Flagstaff, Arizona. A family liaison officer from the NPS is providing support services to the family.

No further details are currently available. An accident investigation will be conducted by the NPS.

GCNP - Pamela Walls


Let's be careful out there!

Saw the helicopter flying over the village at the S. Rim carrying the body out that day. Next day something happened (not sure what) along the BA trail, probably around 3 mile house. Chopper flew right over El Tovar, spun around, and dropped down into the canyon in front of Lookout Studio. Heard it shut down somewhere in the canyon. About 20 minutes later I heard it start up, and saw it fly right over my head. Don't know what the emergency was.

This doesn't surprise me. During our two trips a year up to the north rim of the canyon we always take a hike out to Bright Angel Point There is always someone doing something stupid on that lookout. Climbing out past the rails is one of the favs as well as climbing up on the rocks a the point and trying to take different pictures....

PageRob wrote:........................Next day something happened (not sure what) along the BA trail, probably around 3 mile house. Chopper flew right over El Tovar, spun around, and dropped down into the canyon in front of Lookout Studio. Heard it shut down somewhere in the canyon. About 20 minutes later I heard it start up, and saw it fly right over my head. Don't know what the emergency was.

Date: August 3, 2007

Fatality on Bright Angel Trail at Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon, Ariz. - A 52-year-old man died two miles down the Bright

Angel Trail at Grand Canyon National Park this morning. The Bright Angel

Trail is a popular inner canyon trail that starts from the Grand Canyon

Village on the South Rim. The man has been identified as Scott Smith of

Lancaster, California.

Early indications are that the man suffered a cardiac-related death. A

preventative search and rescue (PSAR) ranger, a ranger who patrols the

inner canyon trails and is responsible for educating visitors on how to

safely hike in the canyon, was notified by hikers that a man was

unresponsive on the trail. The PSAR ranger arrived on scene to find the

victim's friend and an unrelated bystander performing cardiopulmonary

resuscitation (CPR). The PSAR ranger assisted with CPR efforts. Advanced

Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) units arrived, but despite efforts to save him,

the man could not be revived.

The body will be flown to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and

then transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office in

Flagstaff, Arizona. The NPS is conducting an investigation.

Was there with my family during the fall incident. We talked with an eyewitness who was also there with his family. He had to write the witness report and revisit the location where the fall happened. The victim apparently was trying to take a picture on top of the rock at the end of the point and lost his balance.

We were all understandably quite shaken up by the event. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of those lost.

The park ranger recommended reading a book called "Death in the Grand Canyon" as a reminder of just how dangreous these places are. Eye opening reading....

If you read this note and are planning on visiting the park, please take extra precautions and stay on trails and behind rails. Lots of folks have fallen even though they were experienced hikers, in good shape, etc. The heat at the lower part of the canyon is intense and even experienced hikers have gotten in trouble by losing focus for only a moment...

Best regards,

Hi! I think you talked to my husband (he was the one that had to write the eyewitness report.) We were at the Point (with our 4 kids) when the fall happened. We heard slipping on the rocks and a scream and then the thud. My husband looked over and saw the man disappear from view. He had been up on the rock (taking pictures.) We were all so shaken up. I can't even imagine what the man's family is going through! His poor brother was there when it happened, and he was in bad shape.

The ranger we talked to was really nice- were you the family with the Jack Russell's?

We just returned from our vacation, and I was trying to find more information out than I was able to get from my mobile phone... We did find out his name (Matthew Dickeson according to the article, but I am unsure if they have the spelling correct.)

So sad. My thoughts go out to the families.

Hi Cate -- yes we were the family with the Jack Russell's. I was on this site doing the same, looking for more info on the accident after we got home last Sunday.

Hope your vacation went well.. ours was fine but the incident will always live with us. After we left you, we did take the hour "rim" mule ride which was fun. It did not have a lot of "edge" rides which was good considering.. it was mostly through the forest at the rim top.

Thanks for the additional information.

Gene & Angelyn

Hi, again! The husband and kids have been bugging me for a Jack Russell ever since we met you and your dogs! I don't know if you have seen this, but we found this on-line: ( dead link removed ). When you spin it around, you get a good view of the rock.

The second article we read said Matthew was 29 and from Vegas. I checked the Vegas obituaries when we were there, and again on-line, but didn't find anything. The rest of our vacation was pretty good, although when we left the North Rim, our road (89-A) started to wash away due to that sudden storm, and we had to reroute.

We enjoyed talking with you and the ranger (well, as much as anyone could under those circumstances!)

Take care!

Hi, I was a friend of Matt Dickeson in high school. His family lives in Naples, FL where he grew up.
( dead link removed ).

He was an intelligent, talented, very hard working individual who always put others before him. Matt had a wicked sense of humor. And he had a knack for adventure. I remember riding with him in high school in his stick-shift civic on several occasions (he was 2 years my senior) -- we affectionately named the handles above the side windows the "oh $hit handles" for a reason. He loved the thrill of the acceleration and stopping quickly. But he was always in control and knew where to draw the line.

I regret losing touch with him after going away to college. But I know that Matt will be greatly missed by all his Barron Collier buds. He made a huge difference in our lives. He was part of the 'Mag 7' as we called ourselves. We were the kids who studied a bit too much to be part of the "in crowd," but still had a good time and many happy memories of our high school days, thanks to each other. Matt was an integral part of my high school experience. I will miss him greatly.

Respectfully,
Aleks

I was also a friend of Matt's in high school, and was saddened and shocked to hear of his death. This accident is really a sad reminder of how important it is to be careful when hiking, especially in an environment like the Grand Canyon. When I read this discussion to my husband, he remembered visiting Bright Angel Point in the past, and said that he wanted to do exactly what Matt did to get a picture. Fortunately, he didn't take that chance. I'm sorry to hear that Matt did

Matt was incredibly sweet, smart and kind, and he had a great sense of humor. I have wonderful memories of the time that our group spent together. Matt had a positive impact on a lot of people, and he will be missed. My heart goes out to his family and friends. If any of you are reading this, please know that his high school friends are thinking of you and of Matt.

Respectfully,
Lisa