NPS: Memorial Day weekend leads to multiple rescues, numerous arrests at Grand Canyon
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
- Driver identified in fatal accident on Perkinsville Road Sept. 19
- Latest Tik Tok challenges causing problems for Williams Unified School District
- Search at Grand Canyon turns up remains of person missing since 2015
- Plane wreckage and human remains found in Grand Canyon National Park
- Pumpkin Patch Train departs Williams starting Oct. 5
- Update: Man missing in Grand Canyon National Park hike found alive
- Receding water levels at Lake Powell reveal missing car and driver
- Man sentenced for attack on camper at Perkinsville
- Column: Lumber prices expected to stay high through 2022
- Elk rut season in Grand Canyon: What you need to know
SUBMIT FEEDBACK
Click Below to: