7/13/09 – Grand Canyon – South Rim – A man plunged 600 feet to his death this morning after driving his blue sedan over the edge of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. This appeared to be a suicide modeled after the famous death plunge scene at the end of the movie “Thelma and Louise”. Police are investigating.

Approximately six hundred deaths have occurred in the Grand Canyon since the 1870’s. One hundred twenty-eight of them happened at once when two planes collided over the Grand Canyon in 1956. Sixty-five have been due to environmental causes and seventy-nine were drownings in the Colorado River. Going over the edge has been the cause of one hundred one deaths, fifty-three accidental and forty-eight by suicide. Thelma and Louise’s plunge, for those of you who don’t know, was fictional.

The Grand Canyon is a dangerous place. If you are inexperienced in the wilderness you should not attempt going into it without a seasoned Grand Canyon tour guide by your side. Most of the deaths that have occurred in the past century and a half could have been avoided if the victims had taken some simple precautions. Here’s a few things to remember when you decide to explore this marvel of nature.

    * Depth: The depth of the Grand Canyon at the North Rim is 5700 feet, over a mile, and the the depth at the South Rim is 4500 feet, so if you fall you have a long way to go before you hit the ground. Make sure you have proper climbing and hiking equipment and a guide who knows the trails.

    * Drop in Elevation: The Grand Canyon’s elevation above sea level at Lees Ferry, its official beginning, is 1000 feet higher than it is when it hits Lake Mead 277 miles away. That drop causes the Colorado River to have a strong downward current that can quickly overwhelm even a strong swimmer. Make sure you consult with park officials before jumping in the water.

    * Land Mass: There are over one million acres of land inside the Grand Canyon. If you do not know where you are going you can get lost very easily and if you don’t have proper training and supplies you may become the next Grand Canyon fatality. Not taking these bits of advice seriously can really ruin what could otherwise be a great vacation. Hire an experienced Grand Canyon tour guide and enjoy the wonders of this natural marvel without fear of the dangers that are present for the unprepared.