Rangers Respond to Report of Vehicle Hitting Rock Wall on South Rim

Rangers Respond to Report of Vehicle Hitting Rock Wall on South Rim
Date: August 31, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. - At approximately 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, August 31, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center began receiving reports of a vehicle hitting a rock wall on the canyon rim between Thunderbird and Kachina Lodges in Grand Canyon National Park.

When they arrived at the scene, rangers found a silver SUV against a sidewalk light post on the south side of the Rim Trail approximately 40 yards from the nearest roadway. According to witnesses, the vehicle had hit the rock wall on the other side of the side walk and had bounced back into the light post. The vehicle's airbag had deployed; and there was significant damage to a rock wall located approximately 15 feet from the car on the north (or canyon) side of the Rim Trail.

The driver, who had exited the vehicle, was being attended by bystanders. She was examined by EMTs; and while she appeared to be uninjured, she was also confused. As a result, she was transported via ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center for further evaluation.

The National Park Service is conducting an investigation into the incident.