A North Carolina man died Wednesday after he fell 400 feet to his death off a Grand Canyon rim, officials said.
Abel Joseph Mejia, 20, fell off a cliff west of Pipe Creek Overlook at around 10:40 a.m., the National Park Service said in a release.
“Mr. Mejia was near the edge of the rim when he suffered an accidental fall,” the statement read.
His body was located and recovered by rangers. Authorities did not reveal why the victim got too close to the dangerous edge of the rim.
“An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.”
“Grand Canyon National Park staff encourages all visitors to have a safe visit by staying on designated trails and walkways, always keeping a safe distance of at least six feet (2 m) from the edge of the rim, and staying behind railings and fences at overlooks.”
