Hiker Fatality on North Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – On Friday August 9 at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call from a park volunteer with a report of an unconscious male hiker on the North Kaibab Trail approximately one half of a mile below the trailhead within Grand Canyon National Park. The volunteer initiated CPR. Park rangers arrived on scene and continued CPR and resuscitation efforts including the use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). All efforts to resuscitate the victim were unsuccessful.

The 63 year old male was identified as Brice Henri Patricot of Precy-Sur-Oise, France.The man was in a group of five people that had hiked to Eye of the Needle approximately 2 miles below the rim. Three of the individuals in the group continued on past Eye of the Needle, while Mr. Patricot and his wife decided to return to the trailhead after breaking for lunch.

The temperature along the rim was approximately 73 degrees and the inner canyon temperature was approximately 83 degrees at the scene of the incident.

An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner and an autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of death. No further information is available at this time.