Indian American Woman, Vacationing at Grand Canyon, Drowns

India-West News Desk

LAS VEGAS, NV – A Indian American woman Sheetal Patel, 47, who was vacationing at the Grand Canyon National Park, drowned on June 11 after she fell into the Colorado River.

The Grand Canyon National Park in a statement said, “On June 11, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a passenger on a commercial river trip who had fallen into the Colorado River. Commercial guides were able to reach the woman by boat. The commercial guides pulled her from the river and began CPR.”

Patel hiked into the canyon to meet the river trip at Phantom Ranch, and was beginning a multi-day boating trip, according to Grand Canyon National Park. She was cooling off along Pipe Creek Beach, when she was caught by the current in the Colorado River.

An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner, but the park added,

“Before heading down trail, hikers are strongly encouraged to read the Hiking Tips page and check the Backcountry Updates and Closures page for current information on inner canyon conditions.”

Patel was from Chattanooga, TN.