Colorado man found dead in Grand Canyon, marking seventh death since July

Patrick Horton, 59 tragically found dead by travel companions during a river trip at Grand Canyon's Poncho’s Kitchen.

Tragedy has befallen Grand Canyon National Park yet again, with the death of Patrick Horton, a 59-year-old man from Salida, Colorado. 

Horton, who was on a non-commercial river expedition, was found deceased by his travel companions at Poncho’s Kitchen near the Colorado River's 137th mile. 

This incident, occurring on the group's 10th day, contributes to a distressing increase in fatalities within the park, totaling 15 this year alone.

The Grand Canyon has witnessed a particularly perilous summer, with six other individuals losing their lives in August due to various accidents, including a fatal flash flood and an illicit BASE jumping attempt. 

With this latest death, 2024's fatality count nears the higher end of the park's annual average, which typically ranges between 10 to 15, although 2021 saw an exceptional 23 deaths.

Investigations by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s office into the exact cause of Horton’s death are ongoing, as the Grand Canyon community and its visitors face the stark realities of nature's unpredictability.