Grand Canyon News Logo

Trusted local news leader for Williams AZ and the Grand Canyon

NPS: Memorial Day weekend leads to multiple rescues, numerous arrests at Grand Canyon

Local American Legion Post 42 honored Memorial Day with a 21 gun salute at the Grand Canyon Cemetery - rangers attended the memorial in a show of support and remembrance. (Photo/NPS)

Local American Legion Post 42 honored Memorial Day with a 21 gun salute at the Grand Canyon Cemetery - rangers attended the memorial in a show of support and remembrance. (Photo/NPS)

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Like many park service units across the system, rangers at Grand Canyon National Park were busy over Memorial Day Weekend with a high volume of calls for search and rescue (SAR), emergency medical services, and law enforcement.

According to GCNP Law Enforcement Services, common themes throughout the weekend included hikers underprepared for the hot, dry weather and difficulty of the hikes, overly ambitious hiking plans and drug and alcohol consumption.

“Rangers implore visitors to plan ahead for their trip and recreate responsibly while visiting their park. Many thanks to those who assisted in responding to these calls for service,” Law Enforcement and Emergency Services programs at Grand Canyon National Park said.

Dispatch

The dispatchers at the Grand Canyon Regional Communication Center handled just under 200 calls for service over the weekend, answering 911 calls and dispatching resources.

Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement rangers at Grand Canyon responded to 14 significant law enforcement incidents. Notable events included two rollover accidents with injuries, and multiple arrests for DUI, assault and drug and alcohol offenses.

Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR)

Rangers and the PSAR volunteer cadre at Grand Canyon delivered preventative search and rescue messaging to nearly 6,000 visitors on the trails and conducted 20 hiker assists.

Search and Rescue (SAR)

Helicopter 368 (the NPS contract helicopter based on the South Rim) was kept busy over the weekend. Staff from all districts and various divisions responded to 14 Search and Rescue incidents, including 12 helicopter evacuations and two litter evacuations.

Emergency Medical Services

The Grand Canyon medic units responded to 28 EMS calls throughout the park (excluding SAR incidents).

Information courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park


Donate Report a Typo Contact