Authorities in North Carolina have confirmed the death of a college student who died in the Grand Canyon following a tragic fall.
In a press release, the National Park Service (NPS) revealed that on Wednesday, July 31, at around 10:40 a.m. local time, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a tourist who had fallen from the rim at the Pipe Creek Overlook in the Grand Canyon.
The NPS identified Abel Joseph Mejia, a 20-year-old from Hickory, North Carolina, as the visitor. He was found approximately “400 ft. below the rim.”
In a press release on Mejia’s fall, the National Park Service (NPS) cautioned visitors to Grand Canyon National Park to remain on walkways and the designated trails. They recommend that tourists maintain a safe distance of at least six feet from the edge of the rim. People should remain behind railings and fences at overlooks.
There have been countless stories of people who have lost their lives taking risky selfies. There is no word of how Mejia fell or if he broke any of the rules.
After hearing the news of his passing, Indiana Bible College took to Facebook to honor Meija, a former student. The post said that his absence would be deeply felt by all who knew him. It added that he was known for his warm smile and gentle spirit.
According to Turning Point Pentecostal Church’s social media posts, the “accident” occurred when the 20-year-old was on a “missions trip.”
According to statistics compiled by the National Park Service, falls accounted for one of the top three leading causes of unintentional deaths in parks from 2014 to 2019. Over those five years, 205 people lost their lives in falls in parks managed by the National Park Service.
They estimate that about 4.7 million people will visit Grand Canyon National Park in 2024.
