Tennessee Woman Dies After Falling Into Colorado River At Grand Canyon

GRAND CANYON VILLAGE, AZ — A Tennessee woman, originally from Chicago, died after she fell into the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon over the weekend.

Around 2 p.m. Saturday, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center learned a passenger on a commercial river trip fell into the Colorado River. Commercial guides reached the woman by boat, pulled her out of the river and gave her CPR.

National Park Service search and rescue teams took over resuscitation efforts, but the woman did not survive. A park helicopter flew park rangers to the scene and declared her dead.

She was identified by the parks service as Sheetal Patel, 47, originally of Chicago, Illinois, and most recently from Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Patel hiked into the canyon to meet the river trip at Phantom Ranch, officials said. She was beginning a multi-day boating trip. She was cooling off along Pipe Creek Beach when she became caught by the current.

The parks service is investigating with the Coconino County Medical Examiner. Further details were not immediately released.

Hikers were urged to read the parks service's Hiking Tips page and check the Backcountry Updates and Closures page.

All visitors to the Grand Canyon should drink plenty of fluids, rest in shady areas during the day, watch for signs of distress in traveling companions and dress for the weather, including wearing light-colored and loose-fitting clothing. The parks service does not recommend hiking from the rim to the river and back in a single day.