Man falls to his death at South Rim of Grand Canyon

National Park Officials said that a man fell to his death at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

According to the Arizona Republic, the victim fell over the edge about 400 feet to his death around 4:20 p.m. local time on Thursday.

Officials were notified that the man fell from the rim trail near Mather Point. Park Rangers and a search and rescue team could not find the man. A helicopter was then dispatched and located his body.

“A hasty search over the edge was unable to locate the individual,” Thursday’s news release said. “The park helicopter was able to locate the man approximately 400 feet below the rim. Due to terrain, time of day, and safety concerns recovery operations have suspended for the day and will resume in the morning.”

In March of last year, another man named John N. Anderson, 53, of Texas, was also killed after falling from the South Rim.

An estimated 4 million people visit the Grand Canyon annually. Of that amount, about 12 people die at the park. Contrary to what many people believe, the deaths are not caused by falls but actually due to the rough terrain.

The man who died Thursday has not been identified at this time.

An investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service.

For more daily news stories follow Michelle on Twitter @PhilaMichelle