Tennessee woman dies after fall into river at Grand Canyon

A 47-year-old woman from Tennessee is dead after she was cooling off along Pipe Creek Beach and was caught by a current in the Colorado River on Saturday, officials with Grand Canyon National Park said.

The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a passenger on a commercial river trip who had fallen into the Colorado River at about 2 p.m. 

Commercial guides were able to reach the woman by boat and pull her from the river to begin CPR.

Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and the woman was pronounced dead by Park Rangers.

The woman was identified as 47-year-old Sheetal Patel, who had hiked into the canyon to begin a multi-day boating trip from Phantom Ranch, according to officials at Grand Canyon National Park.

In coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner, the National Park Service is investigating the incident.

"All visitors to Grand Canyon should ensure they are drinking plenty of fluids, resting in shade during the heat of the day, watching for signs of distress in travelling companions, and dressing appropriately for the weather, which includes light-colored and loose-fitting clothing," said Grand Canyon National Park in a statement.

Here are the National Park Service's 10 Summer hiking essentials:

• Water - plain and some with electrolyte replacement
• Food - especially salty foods. Eat twice as much as normal.
• First Aid Kit - bandaids, ace wrap, antiseptic, moleskin, etc.
• Map - while many trails are well-marked, maps are helpful tools.
• Pack - to carry the essentials.
• Flashlight/Spare Batteries - allows you to hike out during the cool of the evening.
• Spray Bottle - fill the water for your own personal air conditioning system.
• Hat/Sunscreen - to keep the sun off you and protect your skin.
• Whistle and/or Signal Mirror - for emergency use.
• Waterproof Clothing - poncho or jacket; especially useful during monsoon season (mid-July to early September).

Reach breaking news reporter Haleigh Kochanski at hkochanski@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @HaleighKochans.

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