Tragedy Strikes as Hiker’s Body Found After Grand Canyon Flash Flooding

Flash Flooding leads to a fatal disaster

In a heartbreaking retrieval, the body of a missing hiker was found during the aftermath of a flash flood in the Grand Canyon National Park. The calamitous floodwater had led to the urgent rescue of over 100 people from perilous conditions.

Rescue and recovery operations were initiated last Thursday when flash flooding tragically swept Chenoa Nickerson, a 33-year-old hiker, into the park’s Havasu Creek. Her body was discovered on Sunday close to mile 176 of the Colorado River by a commercial river trip group.

Detailed Investigation On The Way

The National Park Service alerted that an investigation is underway, involving both the park service and the Coconino County medical examiner. The investigation is targeted to unravel the specific circumstances that led to this fatal accident.

Arizona’s National Guard’s Prompt Action

Prior to the discovery of the hiker, the hazardous flooding had already led Arizona’s National Guard to evacuate more than 100 tourists and tribal members from the Havasupai Tribe using a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. The rescue operation took place on Saturday, within the canyons of the Grand Canyon National Park.

Monsoon Rainfalls trigger flooding

Thursday’s monsoon showers triggered the dreadful flooding leading local authorities to shut down the region for tourists and initiate immediate emergency evacuations. The remote village of Supai, located 8 miles below the rim of the Grand Canyon, was also shut down by tribal leaders following similar concerns.

Impact on Tourists

Firsthand accounts of the incident have emerged from tourists who were in the vicinity when the disaster struck. A married couple from North Carolina recounted their experience of the raging flash floods revealing the desperate measures they had to take.

They stated, “For the next three hours, we crossed rivers, formed human chains, and hacked through the thorny bushes and cacti.” The couple was eventually evacuated to safety by the National Guard on Saturday morning.

Current Stage and Future Forecast

At this point, no rain is forecasted for the area in the forthcoming days which is a slight respite amidst the aftermath of the disaster.

The story is being continually updated as international teams strive to ensure safety and start restoration work.