On Labor Day, at approximately 7:20 p.m., a visitor notified the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center someone had fallen from the Grandview Trail. When rangers arrived on scene, they were unable to see their patient, a 25-year old French national, due to the darkness. However, he was responsive to their calls and questions.
Rescue personnel rappelled down to the man, who had fallen about 200 feet, stabilized his injuries and prepared him for transport. Due to technical difficulties with where the man was located, it was necessary to raise him almost 400 feet to the rim via a rope-and-pulley haul system. He was then transported via ambulance to the park helibase where he was picked up by Guardian Medical Transport air ambulance and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center.
Approximately 22 people, including Grand Canyon park rangers/rescue personnel, members of the park’s trail crew, and Xanterra South Rim Fire and Security personnel participated in the rescue.
Investigators have determined that this individual was off-trail at the time of his accident. Rangers are reminding visitors that when traveling off trail, uneven surfaces, loose rocks and seasonal erosion increase the risk of fall or injury.