News Release

Rangers Recover 20-Year-Old Near Pipe Creek Overlook at Grand Canyon National Park

Responders manage a high angle technical rescue system on July 31, 2024

NPS Photo/K.Ross

News Release Date: August 1, 2024

Contact: Joelle Baird, 928-606-3154

On Wednesday, July 31 at 10:40 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a visitor who fell from the rim approximately ¼ mile west of Pipe Creek Overlook. Responding rangers located the body of Abel Joseph Mejia, 20, of Hickory, North Carolina 400 ft. below the rim.

Mr. Mejia was near the edge of the rim when he suffered an accidental fall. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. No additional information is available at this time.

Grand Canyon National Park staff encourage all visitors to have a safe visit by staying on designated trails and walkways, always keeping a safe distance of at least six feet (2 m) from the edge of the rim and staying behind railings and fences at overlooks.

-NPS-