A SECOND body has been recovered from the Grand Canyon in just 24 hours after a BASE jumper fell 500 feet to his death.
On August 1, Arizona national park officials received reports early in the morning that a visitor had attempted a BASE jump.
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The report came in around 7:30 a.m. and rangers were immediately dispatched to Yavapai Point on the south edge of the park, according to a news release from the National Park Service.
A man’s body was found 500 feet below the edge with an open parachute.
Recovery teams were able to recover the body by helicopter and transport it to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The identity of the BASE jumper has not yet been confirmed as a positive identification is still in progress.
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An investigation into the man’s death is being carried out by the coroner.
Park officials reminded visitors that BASE jumping “is prohibited in all areas of Grand Canyon National Park.”
The press release noted that BASE jumping is “a high-risk activity” in which individuals launch themselves from fixed objects before deploying their parachutes.
DISGUSTE
The fatality occurred just 24 hours after a student fell to his death in the national park.
Abel Joseph Mejia, who was studying at Indiana Bible College, fell 400 feet below the edge near the Pipe Creek overlook.
The 20-year-old student was in Arizona on a mission trip and visited the national park on his day off.
However, while exploring the park, he suffered an “accidental fall,” the National Park Service said in a statement. Press release.
Reports of the crash were received by authorities on July 31 at 10:40 am.
Mejia’s body was recovered by rescuers who had to use a technical high-angle rescue system to do so.
Park visitors are asked to stay on marked trails and walkways to stay at least two meters away from the edge at all times.
Our hearts are so heavy right now and we don’t know how we should carry on with this loss.
Steffany Bishop
Furthermore, viewpoints, railings and fences are all installed for the safety of tourists who must stay on the right side of them.
An investigation into Mejia’s death is being conducted by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Tributes poured in for the college student, who “feels profound sadness” at his loss.
Meanwhile, his family started fundraising for his funeral and to take his body back home to North Carolina.
“He was doing what he loved. Reaching young people and telling them about Jesus.
“If anyone knew Abel, they would say he was the most polite, sweet, Jesus-loving young man they knew,” Meia’s older sister, Steffany, wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“Your smile could light up a room. Her laugh was so contagious.
“Our hearts are so heavy right now and we don’t know how we should carry on with this loss.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
