College student hiking off trail falls to his death at the Grand Canyon

[@commonsenseisntcommon1776]

Dont hike off trail!

[@Jkstolz]

Never hike off trail at the Grand Canyon, or you're risking your life. Don't say a lot of people do this, it's NOT A normal thing to do there. Smh

[@yseson_]

Dont hike off trail anywhere

[@AZbluedot196]

thank you!!! it is NOT normal!! I think people are lulled by the beauty of the canyon and forget they are in the wild!

[@odesangel]

Your listening comprehension skills need much improvement. She didn't say it was normal, she said it was a common occurrence. This is not a point about the number of people that hike off trail, it's a statement of how frequently it occurs.

[@AZbluedot196]

I've lived in AZ for 50+ years...Unfortunately, this happens all the time. Tourists don't realize how dangerous the canyon can be. Stay Safe!! Stay on the Trails!!! Drink plenty of water!!!

[@howardrobinson4938]

The canyon is not dangerous. People are dangerous to themselves.

[@AZbluedot196]

@@howardrobinson4938 dehydration, rattle snakes, cliffs hundreds of feet high with no barriers.... there are dangers. People think it is a benign, spiritual place. It is beautiful and dangerous too.

[@adrianpena677]

I hope he wasn't taking a selfie , this selfie phenomenon is taking too many young people! 😢 may he Rip 🙏

[@AZbluedot196]

@@adrianpena677 picture taking kills many at the GC, and I am NOT trying to be snarky. People climb over the barricades to get a better pic and then they fall off the side. It's sad...

[@kimyoung3484]

😢😢😢

[@WilliamsPinch]

Beautiful kid. Prayers to his family. I know there’s a hole in their hearts

[@livetechsupport909]

Here's some PR 101 for Ms. Baird: Do NOT say "a lot of people hike off trail" and do not SMILE when saying it. WTF?! What you DO is put on a very stern face and say "the few people who choose to hike off trail rarely realize just how in danger they put themselves. It's very frowned upon for a very good reason."

[@thejohnbeck]

It's a nervous smile

[@katjay3125]

Nope its duping delight

[@katjay3125]

They love it

[@mizzury54]

But how do you "hike " off trail at Grand Canyon ? I would call it meandering off the trial likely to get a better picture or feel the risk of being closer to the edge.

[@hendrsb33]

@@mizzury54 Sometimes there are trails that are commonly used by animals like desert bighorn sheep that are much more surefooted on steep slopes than humans. People see a distinct trail, not knowing that it wasn't made by humans. I'm not say this guy was on one, but it's possible.

[@youmang]

400 feet!! That’s enough to think about it

[@elultimo102]

That's close to 40 stories.

[@lucifermephistophilies6629]

That's long enough to have a willy coyote moment before leaving a cloud of poof as he fell

[@kevinmoore4807]

Guarantee u he bounced off the ground when he hit bottom.

[@elultimo102]

@@DJ-769 I'm giving 10' per story.

[@Tvso9813]

Enough to say “Jesus I accept You as my personal Savior. Forgive me for my sins”…. Super sad that this happened this way. Idk how people can stand so close to stuff like that…

[@liquiddevil7396]

Sucks for his family. Those rules and railings exist for a reason.

[@sierravista9013]

@@liquiddevil7396 hardly any railings on the trails

[@ohioguy215]

There were no railings on the West Rim either. You could walk right up to the edge if you wanted to take a 400 ft walk in the park.

[@WilliamsPinch]

Rails? It isn’t an amusement park.

[@liquiddevil7396]

@@WilliamsPinch I’ve been there. There’s railings. btw if that was your attempt at humor it was really lame.

[@amerithaiphx]

We weren’t off trail but my brother almost fell down the Canyon when I was 10. I still haven’t gotten over that. Please be more careful and cautious.

[@GloriaMarquez-cv1by]

May he rest in PEACE... 😔🙏📿

[@Juliejulez]

I've hiked those trails since 1991. They haven't gotten any easier, regardless of what shoes you have on. Very slippery, but what a view.

[@22lyric]

And people risk their lives to recover them.

[@lindaolphin7897]

Oh my, such a tragedy , I just pray it was fast so he didn’t suffer. My condolences go out to this young man’s family.😢

[@steveroonie37]

Nothing fast about a 400 ft drop except for the stop.

[@ohioguy215]

A 400 ft foot drop is 8-10 seconds.

[@cblaker68]

Its pretty ridiculous that this many people are rule breakers even though the stakes are so high

[@presidentcamacho]

It's for the likes and the clout. Social media has twisted the mind.

[@CrabbyOldLady]

Everyone thinks they're special and the rules aren't for them.

[@hendrsb33]

As a tour guide, I sometimes have to walk away when I see people clowning around near cliff edges. I don't want to see what I can't unsee. I make sure my peeps know the hazards, but I can't police others.

[@rowyourboat5361]

tragic.

[@user-xr2vl1vq2i]

There are certain natural resources don’t shouldn’t mess with..the Ocean, The Grand Canyon cliffs, lightning, hurricanes are on the top of the list.

[@marielacharite-io5iq]

So sad.

[@Fat12219]

Poor guy 😢 sad 😔

[@rodan5052]

Went there with wifey and saw plenty of hats just off of the ridges edge, watched a parent quickly grab their child from retrieving the hat that was suddenly blown from their head off into the canyon 😟

[@New-bw4kz]

Common sense is disappearing..

[@carpo719]

@@New-bw4kz the desire to explore new areas has been a common sense we've had since humans existed

[@AZbluedot196]

"If common sense were so common everyone would have it." I don't know where this quote originated but my boss told me that 30 years ago and it is sooooo true!

[@darkespeon64]

And I'm sure you're life is so interesting. So much so you need to shame someone who died

[@mermaidmama7880]

@@carpo719what are you attempting to say?

[@mermaidmama7880]

@@darkespeon64 your comment only strengthens the point. It's critical the general public are reminded wild places, like the Grand Canyon, are not Disneyland; and hiking off the trail WILL/not if have dire outcomes . We learn to make better choices by the often tragic, and consequential decisions of others. State parks attract thousands who live removed from the daily influences of Mother Nature, and tragically common sense is too often in short supply. By your report, we should not discuss or comment on the aftermath of bad decisions because it's not nice. I'd suggest you consider those people who are given no boundaries, taught no practicality, or encouraged to deeply respect the unpredictability of wild places, are those who don't live long in either rural or urban places. Without a doubt, I'd rather my child's feelings be a bit bruised if it meant they recognized, absorbed and learned from the ramifications of a mistake by another. Being soft is a favor to no one.

[@janetdixon1877]

Why is she smiling talking about a tragedy

[@CrabbyOldLady]

She isn't.

[@karenspinuzzi6326]

How tragic, may he RIP, prayers for his family and friends 😢❤😢

[@cherilynrosenberg5931]

NO matter what people think....the geography and weather and animals aren't meant to be challenged...humans will lose every time!

[@lorenabg7632]

God bless his soul. Condolences to his loved ones 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@SadGuy321]

@mset68 Atheist Meltdown lol

[@lorenabg7632]

@@mset68 God gives us freedom, maybe that young man was not careful enough and accidents happen. But his family had the blessing of having him for 20 years and I am sure God will heal them. God bless you

[@luckypupito1344]

@@mset68 I lost a love one and knowing that God exists sure makes dealing with the hardships of life a whole lot easier and gives you more peace. Maybe you should give God a chance to enter into your life.

[@user-fz1en8ew9z]

Hopefully he wasn’t staring at his phone. I feel like the phone distracts us and sometimes it’s deadly.

[@liquiddevil7396]

Does it really matter at this point?

[@ohioguy215]

There was actually a young woman who backed up and went over the edge while trying to take a selfie.

[@triawillow7682]

So sorry, my deepest condolences to the friends and family of this North Carolina young man😢🙏🏼🤲🏼

[@nneisler]

Watch for the giant cliff. Its a long way down.

[@CharleneLeach-sz4do]

Sorry to hear that

[@bobbyc912]

So tragic. Been there and it’s breathtaking but also how scary to be standing close to the edge and I see a lot of visitors do that

[@roetilliceline2917]

Bible College? WTF? Who the f even signs up for a college with that stupid name? Also, my condolences to his family.

[@uckBayNguyen]

Tragic. Sorry for the loss

[@JohnHoffman65]

Fell 400 ft! Holy moley!

[@ohioguy215]

8-10 second fall. Ugh.

[@kathleenredick275]

So sad. People need to pay attention and find out the dangers. Know the heat.

[@David-jl6hr]

Condolences to his family.

[@dhowto3005]

Condolences to the family.

[@marciacapell1541]

Its scary since the trail is very narrow and some wider areas but mostly narrow! I grew up in kansas, but when I was about 11 yrs old, my dad was transfered to Flagstaff Arizona for 6 months on a work assignment and during that time we did quite alot of sight seeing. The funny thing was my parents deciding to hike down to the bottom of the grand canyon with me and my little brother. It was a hot summer day and my mom hated the hot weather, so we only were on the trail for about 30 minutes when my mom told my dad its too hot lets go back to the car 😂 and we were all in agreement so back to the car we went! 😵‍💫🥵🤣🤣🤣 my poor mom’s face was red as a beet! And that was not good!! We saw some people going past us on donkeys with a tour guide. So it is scary since theres no guard rails on the grand canyon trail. It was a nice childhood memory sight seeing places during our 6 month stay in Arizona. ❤

[@robingagan6288]

That’s about the height of a 40 story building

[@Bethanyview]

Ugh.

[@armanitransport2604]

I seen the victim's GoPro online and just hearing the sound was crazy.

[@49erfan916]

@@armanitransport2604 where did you see it at?

[@JohnHoffman65]

If it captured his fall, I am curious - but don’t want to see it. That’d be too much like a snuff film.

[@Moonbunny55]

I don’t believe you

[@LeanMyway]

Stop the bs

[@Alfred.E.Newman]

COME ON MAN guess he wont be doing that AGAIN !!!

[@ronwade5646]

Stay on the well established and well marked Trails. There are signs everywhere telling you to stay on the trails. STAY ON THE TRAILS!

[@presidentcamacho]

Nah, for likes, view count, and the clout, people will do anything. Social media has twisted the mind.

[@Moonbunny55]

They should have video clips of people falling for people to watch displayed on the signs that say stay on trails! Then again, people think it can’t happen to them.

[@jimthomas1989]

​@@Moonbunny55 , I will never get eaten by a shark , die in a plane crash or fall from the Empire State building ! I have a bet with anyone for one million dollars on it ? Any takers ?

[@casandrala8370]

Comfort for family.🙏

[@Jenvlogs404]

He seemed iconic, hope all around remember

[@mizzury54]

But was he " hiking " or left the trail for a view. Veering of the trial to get a better view isn't hiking.

[@gijane880]

I'm so sorry for your loss Mejia family :(((

[@thomasobrien1213]

It's called a trail for a reason. Very hard to feel sorry.

[@xzuzux944]

You may not feel sorry but he still wants to experience stuff tragic his life was gone to soon he had a bright future condolences to his family for loosing their baby.

[@ohioguy215]

​@xzuzux944 Well ... as a kid, I wanted to experience many things too but I never climbed out on a dead tree branch or went within 15 ft of the canyon's West Rim.

[@rhondamcknight2596]

Bible College. Hope he rests in peace.

[@trudichoate1950]

They should not be allowed in the area at all too dangerous

[@Vicky-wj3bz]

So very sad

[@AnitaMartinez-l3m]

Follower the rules of the park. Tragic!

[@treasuretrovel3816]

What's with the spokesperson grinning as she explains how the guy went off trail and fell and the final, uncontrolled grin at the end of her statement? Well, she is chilling

[@sierravista9013]

It's so easy to fall off the trail in the Grand Canyon.

[@copyprint-fz2hb]

right ??? the worlds biggest canyon just sneaks up on you 🤣

[@whorn9295]

Staying in the trail would have prevented this from happening. Sad, but easily preventable. 🙏🕊️🙏

[@sierravista9013]

@@SusanKay- I hiked down the Grand Canyon from the South rim, but trained for 10 months before the trip

[@yseson_]

Trails exist for a reason

[@Look_What_You_Did]

They knew what occurred 13 hours ago. AZ... always with the FUD.

[@simply-tom]

Rule of thumb….trails are there for a reason. Especially at something as grand as the Grand Canyon!

[@rdm5190]

Yeah this occurs much more often than in the past.... Must be the inability to read danger signs because of common core or the inexhaustible desire to get that photo opportunity

[@darkespeon64]

I think there's just more people which means more mistakes are inevitable

[@Moonbunny55]

Inflated egos and the dumbing down of society created by social media. People are dumbing down by the day!!!

[@konaken1035]

Bummer.

[@ohioguy215]

​@@SusanKay- 8-10 seconds to reflect.

[@harleyatc956]

Mother Nature is undefeated.

[@charlesrehm9371]

Visitor center staff member: Reservation under what name? College student : I’m Abel staff member: We’ll see about that

[@24-Card]

Sad, but gravity wins again.

[@alfredodiego3920]

Accidents are rare, he was probably a threat to their power

[@cbrashsorensen]

The "I'm invincible meme" reminds yet another person...

[@MrStaybrown]

It happens at canyon de chelly too, and every time the person was stoned, high tripping on something or drunk.

[@missbell247]

Congratulations 🥳 You have won the Darwin Award 🥇.

[@drawingmomentum]

The rocks can live inside the mind of the being, but true understanding is when the being can live among the rocks.

[@trailguy]

A death per month. Wow.

[@carpo719]

Nature is one tough mother. Gotta be careful around cliffs

[@BillLaBrie]

Oh no.

[@lastpme]

Sad, but it is critical to stay on the trail and drink a lot of water when hiking.

[@anthonettedillard3999]

Condolences to his family, but he was doing something that he Loved to Do! Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord!! 🙏

[@SmileIGotYou]

I believe in your last sentence, but risk taking is a form of suicide.

[@DeathComesToUsAll]

Thats what I call "off trail"...

[@xzuzux944]

That’s not something to joke about have respect

[@Moonbunny55]

@@xzuzux944respect for what? Stupidity?

[@xzuzux944]

@@Moonbunny55 respect for the family that lost their child he could have had a bright future

[@DeathComesToUsAll]

No one has respect online... Havent you noticed lol?

[@xzuzux944]

@@DeathComesToUsAll Some mature people actually do and know what’s messed up and what isn’t I may not be all mature enough but even I know what’s messed up.

[@Attalla2023]

Stay on the trail

[@SeekmyfacechildrenYasharahla]

I wanna know why is she smiling after a guy fell and died. Something fishy. Thats why I dont trust these people at all

[@DavidKen878]

She was not smiling. A young man lost his life. Please take your conspiracies somewhere else

[@judahlite2822]

@@DavidKen878 The media lady was smiling while telling the story. Pinky Porky.

[@judahlite2822]

The news lady was smiling. Mind your own business and clean your glasses​ 😅@@DavidKen878

[@User19366]

Why didn’t he have a parachute?

[@ohioguy215]

Well ... he flew like a bird for 8-10 seconds.

[@ronbottitta7437]

He’s with Jesus now. Jesus is the County Coroner.

[@shelhuff1043]

Come on people be smart

[@presidentcamacho]

Have you seen social media? The dumber vids get more likes, view count, and clout. That is all these people live for now.

[@eddieg6436]

…….perhaps these kids should study the effects of gravity?!? 🤷🏼‍♂️🤔😂

[@ohioguy215]

Should probably study the effects of Stupid.

[@mikeymike69]

Another video says he was trying to BASE jump and was found with a deployed parachute? This story makes it sound like he slipped and fell....

[@ohioguy215]

I would go with "slipped and fell". I doubt a 20 year old kid in Bible college had any base jumping experience. When I was at the West rim years ago, I stayed 15 ft from the edge. Went onto the glass bridge that extends 70 ft out over the canyon. That was enough excitement for me.

[@mikeymike69]

@@ohioguy215 Yep you are correct this wasn't the BASE jumper, I see there were 2 deaths at the Grand Canyon this week one fell and one tried to BASE jump.

[@ohioguy215]

@@mikeymike69 If you have a chance, get the book "Over The Edge" by Michael Ghiglieri. It chronicles the deaths of 550 people who went over from the time the park opened until 2000. I'm not into gore but I couldn't put this book down. It is a helluva good read.

[@Georgeanne17]

Please know you can die ON a trail as well. It gets steep and temperatures can change from extreme heat to cold. I hiked the canyon and if i was not several feet away from the edge I would of fell 1000 feet. Yes. The canyon is over 6,000 feet high. I had slipped on a rock pebble and went sliding. I think because of good hiking shoes and a quick reaction, I was able to slow my descent. I immediately sat down to let my body touch ground and use my legs and hands to stop the acceleration. However, gravity always wins if the position is right. Things can take a turn and it can happen to anyone. Hike with full attention at all times. My condolences to the family. A beautiful life lost. May he rest in peace.

[@Attalla2023]

Even your video shows someone on top of the observation barrier. Stuff like that

[@puttentanesame6687]

Oopsie doodle. RIP adventurous spirit.

[@provident8732]

Problem is people don’t have common sense. Take responsibility for your actions. If it was unsafe wouldn’t everyone walking there be dead? Problem is people

[@presidentcamacho]

People who want likes, view count, and clout are the problem. Social media has twisted the mind.

[@Tryp-j9d]

Make SURE his headstone reads: UN-ABEL!!!

[@oyenations162]

When I visited the Grand Canyon there were two young women who gifted me with their reservation at the Havasupi Indian Reservation. They had to leave. I was told about how dangerous the hiking was by some guy from there and how some people had to be helicopter lifted out on way back up. After I didn't go down there and to this day I still wonder how wonderful it would have been if I didn't he the negativity and scare.

[@AZbluedot196]

it is dangerous but that is why there are guides for the trip, and at the bottom the Havasupai are in charge. I've never done it either but I wish I had when I was younger.

[@bekind5738]

Havasupi is incredibly beautiful. I have hiked it many times. The 3 sets of waterfalls are a gorgeous turquoise.

[@oyenations162]

@@bekind5738 I regret it for sure after I think about it today. I was so excited and happy to go and listened to that killjoy.😭

[@ohioguy215]

​@@AZbluedot196 Havasupai own a large part of the territory. We had to get on a Havasupai bus to get to the West Rim.

[@Unhingedtrucker]

Adios amigo you would have made a difference in your community

[@BloodfoxV]

I just don't get how you can accidentally "fall" off a hiking trail in broad daylight..

[@Anonomush_oranges]

He wasn't on a trail. He was bushwacking it and probably slipped on loose gravel or something like that.

[@rowyourboat5361]

the foot slips. it's called an accident.

[@kathleenredick275]

An accident, but totally preventable. Stay on the trails and away from the edge. 😢

[@rowyourboat5361]

@@Anonomush_oranges exactly.

[@hendrsb33]

It's possible the guy got on an animal trail without knowing. Desert bighorn sheep will walk along ledges and they're a lot more surefooted than most humans. They make visible trails that people might mistake as human made. Probably not true in that guy's case but it's something I've seen people do before.

[@tuber93422]

Darwin award winner! Notice its not people from AZ dying stupidly. College student....

[@presidentcamacho]

Social media has twisted the mind to get the like, view count, and clout.

[@AshKetchum-br4lv]

Another one?

[@branjosnow6244]

10-1 this was due to a selfie.

[@presidentcamacho]

For sure. Likes, view count, and clout has twisted the mind.

[@IKhanNot]

Hiked off the trail… I’d love to ask him why but for obvious reasons I can’t 😂

[@calicoasting]

Every 2 years is not rare

[@scottmccloud9029]

At least he got to see some cool sites on the way down.

[@maureenjohnson5151]

😔😔😔🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@peterdisbury]

Hike off trail if you live there and know where to go, NPS, has no issues if you use your brain. Just don't think you are Iron Man and can fly when you are stoned otherwise the Condors will be inviting you 4 dinner. Just be smart, responsible and tread lightly. No stomping around like a drunk donkey, pick your steps carefully and mind the tiny cactus waiting to "point" out where to step. Most people who end up either deceased or in the Helicopter were most likely ill prepared for their excursion. There are those very rare cases when a very experienced person ends up with the short end of that stick.

[@Navigator2166]

💔👏😥

[@Fat12219]

I was there in 2022 😮

[@robinporter7000]

It's a beautiful place to see on tv.

[@darkespeon64]

I hike off trail often but wouldnt at the grand canyon. Not to shame him do NOT shame him

[@DavidKen878]

@@darkespeon64 Stop crying 😂

[@darkespeon64]

@@DavidKen878 ur so cringe

[@DavidKen878]

@@darkespeon64 This coming from the person whose online handle is a pokemon

[@brethenning9486]

150 liked this story, let that sink in

[@elultimo102]

A "like" to the story, is not a like to the tragedy.

[@presidentcamacho]

@@elultimo102 I find it funny how that gets twisted.

[@MarkOliver-p4i]

He's going to be late for dinner, mom.

[@xzuzux944]

What do you want to achieve out of your comment?

[@laurenurban3942]

Stay on the marked trail.

[@Theskyisgreen436]

He will not be the last