Canyoneer dies after accidental fall in Zion National Park

Date of press release: October 6, 2024

Contact: Matthew Fink, 435-772-0162

SPRINGDALE, Utah – A canyoning hiker has died after an accidental fall near the exit of Heaps Canyon in Zion National Park on October 5, 2024.

The deceased, a 40-year-old man, was canyoning with three others when he fell from a depth of 150 to 200 feet around 6 p.m. The group of four was following their permitted route through Heaps Canyon when the incident occurred.

After receiving the report of the fall, the Zion National Park Technical Search and Rescue Team and the Washington County Sheriff's Office arrived on scene and provided emergency medical care. The man was taken by a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter to a helipad near Watchman Campground, where he received additional assistance from Hurricane Valley Fire and Rescue and Intermountain Life Flight. The man was pronounced dead before he could be transported to a hospital by rescue helicopter.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time,” said Jeff Bradybaugh, superintendent of Zion National Park.

On the morning of October 6th, two of the three remaining canyoning pioneers were safely rescued by a DPS helicopter. The Zion search and rescue team assisted the third in rappelling out of the canyon and safely reached the ground around 2:00 p.m.

Zion National Park and the Washington County Sheriff's Office are still investigating the man's exact cause of death.

The park's response involved more than 50 rescuers from the Zion Search and Rescue Team, Springdale Police Department, Hurricane Valley Fire and Rescue, Washington County Sheriff's Office and Intermountain Life Flight.

www.nps.gov/zion