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20-year-old dies after falling at Grand Canyon

The man's body was recovered about 400 feet below the rim.

COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — Park rangers have recovered the body of a 20-year-old who recently fell at Grand Canyon National Park. 

At about 10:40 a.m. on July 31, staff received a report of a visitor who fell from the rim about a quarter of a mile from the Pipe Creek Overlook.

Rangers later located the body of Abel Joseph Mejia about 400 feet below the rim. The North Carolina man was reportedly near the rim's edge when he accidentally fell.

Park rangers encourage visitors to stay at least six feet from the edge of the canyon's rim.

The National Park Service and Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office will be conducting an investigation into the man's death. 

   

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