Salt Lake City woman dies after falling at Grand Canyon National Park
Apr 5, 2022, 3:16 PM | Updated: Jun 20, 2022, 12:44 pm
The Colorado River winds its way along the West Rim of the Grand Canyon in the Hualapai Indian Reservation on January 10, 2019 near Peach Springs, Arizona. The Grand Canyon National Park is preparing to celebrate its centennial in February. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — A 34-year-old woman from Salt Lake City has died after authorities say she fell approximately 20 feet in Grand Canyon National Park.
Around 6:30 p.m. Monday, officials said they were notified of an unresponsive river trip participant near Ledges Camp along the Colorado River.
“Due to darkness, Grand Canyon National Park requested Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) emergency helicopter response. DPS arrived on scene at Ledges Camp at approximately 8:30 p.m. and pronounced the individual deceased,” read a news release from the park Tuesday afternoon.
Park officials said Margarget Osswald, 34, was near camp when she fell.
“Members of the group noted she was unresponsive and began CPR,” stated the release.
Osswald was on her sixth day of a multi-day private boating trip, according to park officials. She had hiked into the canyon to meet the river trip at Phantom Ranch when the fall occurred.
The incident remains under investigation.
It was later confirmed to KSL that Osswald was an employee of the Division of Water Quality and was recently appointed as an Assistant Director of the Division.
“We are heartbroken by this tragic loss, and our thoughts and support go out to her loved ones at this difficult time.”
