A 33-year-old man has died after falling 4,000 feet off the Grand Canyon West Skywalk in Arizona. The incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 5, 2023, according to the Mojave County Sheriff’s Office. A rescue team confirmed the man’s death and transferred his body to the Hualapai tribe.
An unidentified man was on a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge, but he jumped off the edge of the bridge and died. An investigation into the incident has been launched by the Mojave County Sheriff’s Office. Netizens expressed their condolences to the victims and called for increased safety measures on the skywalk.
The Mojave County Sheriff’s Office released details of the tragic incident in a June 7 Facebook post. A technical rope rescue team responded to the incident around 9 a.m. Monday morning, it said.
“The Mojave County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Technical Rope Rescue Team responded to the search on the Grand Canyon West Skywalk for a 33-year-old man who entered the canyon over the edge of the skywalk. Two short-range technicians ( A rope expert)”) A Kingman DPS Ranger helicopter arrived at the scene and determined the man was dead,” the post read.
‘This happens too often’ – netizens react like the Grand Canyon Death of the Skywalk make a headline
Several netizens joined in the comments section of a Facebook post by the Mojave County Sheriff’s Department of Search and Rescue to express their condolences to the deceased man. Individuals also raised awareness about mental health and complained about the height of handrails.
The Mojave County Sheriff’s Office concluded the statement by providing the number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
“If you or anyone needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255),” they wrote.
It is important to note that the circumstances leading to the man’s death are currently unknown. It is unclear whether the fall was intentional or an accident. The sheriff’s office is investigating the incident and more details are awaited.
The Grand Canyon West website claims the Skywalk can accommodate “70 fully loaded 747 airliners.”
According to the official Grand Canyon West website, the Skywalk offers “unparalleled views of one of the Seven Wonders of the World.” According to the website, the 10-foot-wide horseshoe-shaped glass bridge extends 70 feet over the rim of the Grand He Canyon, giving him a direct 4,000-foot view of the canyon floor below.
The website also assures visitors of the robustness of the glass bridge by claiming:
“No need to be nervous. The Skywalk is strong enough to accommodate 70 fully loaded 747 airliners.”
General admission tickets to the Grand Canyon West range from $49 to $62. Access to the Hualapai Tribe Managed Skywalk is only available as a separate add-on with an additional charge of $26-$31. Several other add-ons are also available for an additional fee, including meals, ziplines, helicopter pontoons, and discovery tours.
Edited by
Adele Fernandez
