Hiker found dead on Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr/Creative Commons
and last updated 2021-07-15 18:01:13-04
GRAND CANYON, AZ â A hiker has died after being found unresponsive on Bright Angel Trail at Grand Canyon National Park Wednesday evening.
In a statement, the National Park Service says Rodney Hatfield, 44, of Washington, Louisiana was found at around 4:50 p.m.
Hatfield was on a multi-day hiking trip when he started having problems hiking up the Bright Angel Trail near Indian Garden. He was able to reach the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse where he was found unresponsive.
Crews immediately began life-saving attempts but were unsuccessful, and Hatfield was pronounced dead on the scene.
Bright Angel Trail Switchbacks [Photo from NPS/M. Quinn]
Grand Canyon, AZ – National Park Services investigators are looking into the death of a Washington, Louisiana man, Rodney Hatfield.
According to the Park Service, on July 14 at approximately 4:49 p.m., the Grand Canyon Communications Center received a report of CPR in progress on an unresponsive hiker at the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse on the Bright Angel Trail.
The 44-year-old Hatfield was on a multi-day hiking trip and returning from Phantom Ranch when he began experiencing difficulty hiking up the Bright Angel trail near Indian Garden. Hatfield reached the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse before becoming unresponsive. A preventive search and rescue (PSAR) volunteer arrived within minutes of the initial call and assisted with resuscitation efforts. Rangers responded via foot and helicopter however resuscitation efforts were not successful and responding rangers determined Hatfield to be deceased.
Associated Press
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A Louisiana man has died while on a multiday hiking trip at Grand Canyon National Park, authorities said Thursday.
Park officials said 44-year-old Rodney Hatfield of Washington, Louisiana, collapsed Wednesday on the Bright Angel Trail.
They said Hatfield was returning from Phantom Ranch when he began experiencing difficulty hiking up the trail near Indian Garden.
He reached Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse before becoming unresponsive and rangers said resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
An investigation will be conducted by the National Park Service in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner s Office to try to determine the cause of Hatfield s death.
The Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park from the first trail view along Hermit Road.
Credit NPS Photo, M. Quinn
Rodney Hatfield, 44, was experiencing difficulty hiking up the trail near Indian Garden during a multi-day trip. He was later pronounced dead after rangers and a preventative search and rescue volunteer attempted CPR.
The Park Service and Coconino County Medical Examiner are conducting an investigation.
Park officials recommend people only hike before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., rest in the shade, drink water and balance electrolyte intake.
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