One Swimmer Rescued, Second Succumbs at Glen Canyon NRA

On September 12th, John Lord, 64, was swimming with friends from a houseboat to a small island about 75 yards away when he began showing signs of distress. He slid underwater, but was immediately retrieved by two of his friends. They took him to the island, where CPR was begun. Another man in the group - David McElroy, 50 - also had difficulties while swimming. He was rescued by nearby boaters after sinking below the surface of the lake. He was breathing but unresponsive at first, then regained consciousness after being brought aboard the houseboat.

Rangers Steve Luckesen, Bryan Yetter, Scott Ryan and Gordon Olson soon arrived on scene with a Kane County deputy, a Utah state park ranger, and a Classic Lifeguard helicopter. Rangers were assisted by an Air Force doctor who was in the area with his family. Resuscitation efforts on Lord were unsuccessful after an hour’s effort and he was declared dead at the scene. McElroy was flown to a hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. Lord was with a group of friends who were vacationing at Lake Powell to celebrate the life of a friend who had just passed away from cancer. The fatality is under joint investigation by the National Park Service and Kane County Sheriff’s Office. The lead investigator fro the park is ranger Scott Ryan. [Submitted by Lindy Mihata, Acting Chief Ranger]

Source: NPS

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Nine Arrested At DUI Checkpoint at Lake Mead NRA

On August 26th, rangers conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Lakeshore Drive. Within three hours, they contacted about 300 drivers and arrested nine of them for driving under the influence. This was one of a series of six coordinated checkpoints conducted in the park in an effort to reduce alcohol-related incidents. The park averages ten fatalities [...]

Lake Mead NRA Report on Labor Day Weekend

Busy Labor Day Weekend Marked By Numerous Incidents… Over the Labor Day weekend, Lake Mead rangers provided professional service to nearly 120,000 visitors who entered the park. Incidents over the course of the weekend included 17 arrests, five search and rescue incidents, 22 medical responses and the issuance of 126 citations. Significant incidents included a [...]

Yosemite National Park (CA): Searchers Find Missing Hiker

Ronald Hoggard, 58, of Corcoran, California, was found by ground searchers around 8:30 a.m. on Monday morning near Glacier Point. He was mildly dehydrated but otherwise okay. Hoggard was reported missing to park officials on Saturday afternoon when he did not return from a day hike. His truck was subsequently located at the Sentinel Dome/Taft [...]

Death Valley Current Conditions

Death Valley National Park Morning Report — Tuesday, September 18, 2007Weather Forecast Today — Sunny. High around 101. Light wind becoming south at 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.Tonight — Mostly clear. Low in the lower 70s. South wind 10 to 15 mph.Tomorrow — Sunny and mostly clear through the evening then becoming [...]

Bats - Masters of the Night Sept 29th at Snow Canyon SP Utah

Eighteen species of bats call Washington County home. They are creatures so sophisticated, so adapted to their environment, so elusive, and so misunderstood. Join Tom Haraden of Zion National Park and learn about their natural history and their importance to our ecosystem. Space is limited. Registration required. Saturday, September 29, 2007 6 to 7:30 p.m.Bats- [...]