Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (MT,WY)
SUV Goes Over Rim Into Canyon
Owners of a hybrid Ford Escape called the county sheriff just before midnight on Sunday, May 24th, to report that their SUV had gone over the rim and fallen into Big Horn Canyon. The vehicle was found 700 feet below its original location on Crow Indian Reservation land. Rangers and resource management staff traveled to the location by boat the next day to determine if the SUV had fallen into the park. They found the vehicle’s debris scattered over a wide area, but determined that none of it was on park land. Concern was raised, however, about leaking fluids and hybrid batteries still on site. The park will continue to monitor the area for any resource impacts, since the site is close to the park boundary, and will also assist the tribe. The SUV reportedly began rolling toward the edge of the canyon rim after its two occupants got out to look around. They attempted to stop it by holding onto its bumper, but were unsuccessful in keeping the SUV from going over the edge. They reported that the parking brake had failed.