Meg Osswald, 34, falls 20 feet while on the sixth day of a boating expedition

A 34-year-old woman has lost her life after falling approximately 20 feet (6m) during a hiking trip in Grand Canyon National Park. The victim, identified as Meg Osswald, was on the sixth day of a multi-day private boating journey when the accident occurred.

According to the Grand Canyon National Park Service (NPS), they were notified about the incident at around 6.30pm on Monday. A statement revealed: “Grand Canyon National Park was alerted of an unresponsive river trip participant near Ledges Camp (river mile 152) along the Colorado River.”

The NPS reported that due to the lack of light, emergency response from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) was called. The DPS team reached the scene at around 8.30pm and confirmed the woman’s death. The statement continued: “Margaret Osswald, 34, of Salt Lake City, Utah, was near camp when she fell approximately 20 feet and sustained fatal injuries. Members of the group noted she was unresponsive and began CPR.”

Ms Osswald, who worked as assistant director for the Utah Division of Water Quality and previously served as assistant attorney general at the Utah Attorney General’s Office’s Environment Division, was described as having hiked into the canyon to meet her group at Phantom Ranch.

The investigation into her death is ongoing, with the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner conducting inquiries. The Utah Division of Water Quality expressed their condolences, stating: “We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our thoughts and support go out to her loved ones at this difficult time.”

Meg Osswald graduated from the University of Utah SJ Quinney College of Law in 2016 and passed the Utah state bar that same year.

This marks the second fatal incident within 11 days at Grand Canyon National Park. Mary Kelley, 68, recently died during a boating trip when she fell into the Colorado River from her raft. This year alone, four deaths have been reported at the park, according to a spokesperson.

The ongoing investigation will seek to determine the circumstances of this latest tragedy while highlighting the dangers faced during hiking and boating excursions in the area.