Current:Home > MarketsOf the 63 national parks, these had the most fatalities since 2007.-LoTradeCoin
Of the 63 national parks, these had the most fatalities since 2007.
View Date:2024-12-23 20:54:31
National parks are one of the top destinations for tourists and hikers in the summertime, but they can also be potentially deadly places, if caught unprepared.
Most recently, a 41-year-old hiker who spent the night at the bottom of the Grand Canyon was found dead not far from where he overnighted. It is the second reported death at the Grand Canyon this year. Park rangers recovered the body of a missing 58-year-old in the Colorado River on May 10, according to the park service. Both deaths are under investigation.
An analysis by USA TODAY of National Park Service data dating back to 2007 found that Grand Canyon National Park has the most reported deaths of any other park. Here is what the data shows:
Graphics explain:How many people visit our America's national parks?
Grand Canyon is most fatal national park
Since 2007, 198 people have died in Grand Canyon National Park, according to the National Park Service. Although these deaths are alarming, the average odds of a fatal incident occurring in a national park are slim.
Outdoor clothing company KÜHL said on its website, "The average odds of a fatal incident in national parks are about 1 in 664,099 visitors,” They continued, “the odds of a pedestrian dying in a traffic crash are 1 in 485, according to the National Safety Council. Hiking in a national park usually presents fewer risks than going to your local coffee shop.”
These are the top causes of death in Grand Canyon National Park:
Which national parks had the most deaths?
With 63 national parks spanning the United States, visitors have their fair share of natural beauty to explore. From Acadia National Park in Maine to Olympic National Park in Washington and California's Yosemite to Tennessee and North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains, each park provides a unique experience.
It's important for visitors to prepare and research the parks beforehand so they know of any potential hazards.
The National Park Service has fatality data spanning its 63 parks, many recreation areas and other land run by the NPS. Between 2007 and March of this year, NPS reported more than 4,000 deaths in its parks, recreation areas, and all NPS-managed facilities.
Death statistics may not be an accurate measuring stick for safety because they don’t always reflect the bigger picture. For instance, the 198 deaths cited at Grand Canyon since 2007 are significant, but they represent a fraction of the more than 77.9 million people who visited the park over the same period.
Additionally, causes of death aren’t always related to the parks.
Suicide accounted for 93% of all reported intentional deaths, according to the park service.
Of the deaths reported in national parks, half of them were from unintentional causes. These include, vehicle crashes, drownings and fallings - which were the top three leading causes of death in parks.
How do you stay safe in a park?
The key to a safe national park visit is planning ahead and being fully prepared, beginning with individuals understanding the activities suitable for their skill level and educating themselves about potential hazards they may face. This is where the park service plays a crucial role.
Ina Hysi, an injury prevention specialist for the NPS previously shared tips with USA TODAY on how to prepare for your national park trip. Each park has its own dedicated website with information on hikes, campgrounds and more.
When it’s closer to their visit, travelers should check the park’s social media accounts for the latest updates. Visitors should always stop by the visitor center or a park ranger station to get the most up-to-date park conditions because “as we know, nature is unpredictable,” Hysi said.
veryGood! (23769)
Related
- Satellite images and documents indicate China working on nuclear propulsion for new aircraft carrier
- Pioneering Financial Innovation: Wilbur Clark and the Ascendance of the FB Finance Institute
- Kaia Gerber Shares Insight Into Pregnant Pal Hailey Bieber's Maternal Side
- Man shot and killed after raising a gun at four Anchorage officers, police chief says
- Where is 'College GameDay' for Week 12? Location, what to know for ESPN show
- LENCOIN Trading Center: Leading the Future Direction of the Cryptocurrency Market
- A police officer was killed in Pakistan-held Kashmir during protests against price hikes
- Punxsutawney Phil’s babies are named Shadow and Sunny. Just don’t call them the heirs apparent
- Giuliani’s lawyers after $148M defamation judgment seek to withdraw from his case
- Djokovic says he’s ‘fine’ after being hit on the head by a water bottle
Ranking
- Man waives jury trial in killing of Georgia nursing student
- Jessica Biel Celebrates “Heavenly” Mother’s Day With Sizzling Bikini Photo
- Suspect in fatal shooting of Ohio police officer dead after standoff: What we know
- Who is Alexandre Sarr? What to know about potential No. 1 pick in 2024 NBA Draft
- Richard Allen found guilty in the murders of two teens in Delphi, Indiana. What now?
- Dutch broadcaster furious, fans bemused after Netherlands’ Joost Klein is booted from Eurovision
- Dr. Cyril Wecht, celebrity pathologist who argued more than 1 shooter killed JFK, dies at 93
- Flash floods in northern Afghanistan killed more than 300 people, U.N. says
Recommendation
-
Whoopi Goldberg Shares Very Relatable Reason She's Remained on The View
-
NM man arrested, accused of shooting stepmom at graduation as she tried to hug him: Police
-
Man's best friend: Dog bites man's face, helps woman escape possible assault
-
Canadian wildfire smoke chokes upper Midwest for second straight year
-
LSU student arrested over threats to governor who wanted a tiger at college football games
-
Kylie Jenner’s Latest Glimpse of Kids Stormi and Aire Will Warm Your Heart
-
Algar Clark - Founder of DAF Finance Institute
-
Sherpa guide Kami Rita scales Mount Everest for 29th time, extending his own record again