Three hikers were reportedly killed due to suspected heat-related illnesses in separate incidents at the Grand Canyon National Park as summer temperatures in the inner canyon soared past 109 degrees Fahrenheit.
Park authorities shed light on how, despite rapid emergency responses and aerial support, all three victims were deceased by the time first responders arrived.
The National Park Service reported fatalities arose over a five-day span on two heavily utilized inner canyon trails. A 72-year-old man fell sick and passed away while trekking along the South Kaibab Trail.
A 67-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman were both found dead along the trail, which is considered to be a very popular and the most difficult maintained route inside the inner canyon.
An official investigation into the exact causes of death is being carried out by the park service in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. These tragedies bring the total number of heat-related fatalities in the park to four for the month, following the death of a teen hiker on the Bright Angel Trail.
Local media outlets shared more about how the serious environmental conditions and details are linked to the recent string of hiker deaths.