GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — A German tourist on a commercial river trip at Grand Canyon National Park died after his kayak flipped over and he was unable to right himself, officials said. He’s the second German tourist to die in the park this week.
The group had just started its multi-day trip on the Colorado River on Wednesday when park officials received a call around 2 p.m. about an unconscious kayaker at Badger Rapids.
A safety boat was able to reach the kayak, but authorities say 43-year-old Hans Uhl lost consciousness and couldn’t be resuscitated.
An investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County medical examiner.
Uhl’s hometown in Germany wasn’t available Friday.
On Monday, authorities say medics were unable to revive 64-year-old Wolfgang Hans-Joachim Glode after he was reported to be unconscious.
Glode was vacationing with his wife from Sievershagen, Germany. The couple was at Desert View Campground at the time. Authorities are also investigating his death.
Grand Canyon spokeswoman Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski said Friday the 13 or 14 deaths in the park so far this year are already above average.
Three people have died on river trips, two died in falls over the rim, one died in a car accident, and several others died from natural causes or medical distress. The average number of yearly deaths is 12.
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