Buckskin Gulch Area, Kane County, Utah March 13, 2018 | Photo Credit: Kane County Search and Rescue, St. George News
ST. George — The Kane County Sheriff’s Office has warned hikers to exercise caution after the discovery of the body of a second hiker. Both men died in a flash flood at the popular slot canyon last weekend.
Kane County Sheriff Lieutenant Alan Aldridge told the St. George News on Tuesday that Gary York, 65, of Westchester Township, Ohio, and John Walter, 72, of Kettering, Ohio, He said he died while hiking in the Buckskin Gulch area, 77 miles away. Originally from Kanab, Utah.
“Once again, we have witnessed the relentless force and danger of flash floods in Kane County’s slot canyons,” Aldridge said in a news release. “My condolences to York and Walter’s family.
Aldredge said the public should always take special precautions when recreational at Slot Canyon. He said cell phone service is not available in the area. He advises people to bring a Garmin GPS SOS type item or his new Apple phone with satellite services that can be activated with the push of a button.
“Be sure to check the weather and have the right gear when going to the Slot Canyon area,” said Aldridge. “We’re pushing hard to make sure people own satellite locator type devices.”
The first hikers were spotted by a group of people in the Paria River area around 11:30 am on Sunday. Hikers often trek from the White House trailhead to Lee’s Ferry, which can take several days, Aldregde said. The group reported that a man had died in the ravine. According to the news release, the coordinates provided indicated it was about half a mile into Arizona, south of the confluence of the Paria River and Buckskin Gulch.
Aldredge said the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona was notified and began a joint recovery mission. A Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter stationed in St. George, Utah, transported Sheriff’s Office personnel to the scene of the body. It was recovered, flown to the White House trailhead, and transported to the Coconino County coroner’s office.
On Monday morning, the Kane County Dispatch received a call from the Westchester, Ohio Police Department that two men were in arrears. Aldredge said the missing man’s family reported talking to the men around 3 p.m. Saturday, who said they planned to hike about eight miles to Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch. suggested.
Aldredge said photos sent by his family confirmed that the man who died in the Paria area was Gary York, 65, of Westchester Township, Ohio. The Kane County Search and Rescue team traveled to the Buckskin Gulch area to attempt a search for another missing hiker. He said search and rescue teams found the body of 72-year-old John Walter of Kettering, Ohio, around 5 p.m.
According to the news release, an investigation revealed that a flash flood had occurred in the Buckskin River while the two were supposedly hiking. It is believed that they were caught off guard and swept away by the rushing wall of water.
Aldredge added that temperatures can vary significantly at the bottom of slot canyons compared to the top.
“It can be 110 degrees on the smooth red rocks, but it can be cold in the water when you go down this canyon, so make sure you have the right clothing and gear for where you are going,” says Aldridge. said Mr.
Aldredge confirmed that this is the same canyon where two Florida men died in floodwaters in March of this year. Yorke was swept nearly 16 miles down the gorge by the floodwaters, while Walters was swept seven to eight miles, according to a news release.
Other responding agencies include the Utah Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Land Management.
“The Kane County Sheriff’s Office is forever grateful to the many volunteers who have put so much time into their difficult rescue efforts over the last few months,” Aldridge said.
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