Utah Park Tragedy: 2 Dead, 1 Injured After Fall At Arches National Park

Authorities in Grand County, Utah, have confirmed a fatal incident that happened Friday at Arches National Park. At about 7:30 a.m., three visitors fell close to the park’s Delicate Arch into the “lower bowl” area beneath it.

Two of the victims – a man, 65, and a woman, 60 – died, while a 30-year-old man was injured. The man was airlifted to the nearby Moab Regional Hospital.

The local police have confirmed that all members of the party were from California. Police believe that the visitors could be related.

The trail around Delicate Arch closed but it has since reopened.

“The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use,” according to tweet Friday from park officials. “Winter conditions make for slippery hiking; proceed with caution.”

Speaking with local media, Chief Ranger Scott Brown said that the exact cause of the accident is unknown. Brown did, however, note that the trail the victims were using was wet and slick at the time.

Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah near the state’s border with Colorado. It is roughly 230 southeast of Salt Lake City.