SUPAI, Ariz. (AP) — The physique of an Arizona lady who went lacking within the Grand Canyon Nationwide Park after a flash flood days earlier was recovered Sunday, park rangers stated.
The physique of Chenoa Nickerson, 33, from the Phoenix suburb of Gilbert, Arizona, was found by a gaggle rafting down the Colorado River via the Grand Canyon round 11:30 a.m. Sunday, the park stated in an announcement.
Rangers recovered Nickerson’s physique, which was transported to the rim by helicopter and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s workplace.
In an announcement issued Sunday, her household thanked searchers and supporters and requested for privateness.
Joel Rogers by way of Getty Pictures
“We remorse to tell you that our candy Chenoa has been discovered deceased. Our hearts are heavy with grief,” the assertion stated. “Chenoa’s gentle will perpetually be part of all of us, and we’ll make sure that her spirit continues to shine brightly. Her reminiscence won’t ever fade, and we’ll honor her by carrying ahead the enjoyment and love she introduced into all of our lives.”
Nationwide Park Service officers stated Nickerson was swept into Havasu Creek above the Colorado River confluence round 1:30 p.m. Thursday. She wasn’t sporting a life jacket.
Nickerson was mountain climbing alongside Havasu Creek a couple of half-mile (800 meters) from the place it meets up with the Colorado River when the flash flood struck.
Nickerson’s husband was among the many greater than 100 individuals safely evacuated.
The flood trapped a number of hikers within the space above and under Beaver Falls, one in all a collection of normally blue-green waterfalls that draw vacationers from all over the world to the Havasupai Tribe’s reservation. The world is vulnerable to flooding that turns its iconic waterfalls chocolate brown.
Different hikers made it to the village, about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from the campground, the place they awaited helicopter rides out.
Gov. Katie Hobbs activated the Arizona Nationwide Guard, together with Blackhawk helicopters, to assist evacuate hikers from the village.
Guard officers stated an estimated 104 tribal members and vacationers close to Havasupai Falls have been evacuated since Thursday after floodwaters left them stranded.
The Havasupai Tribe’s reservation is among the most distant within the continental U.S., accessible solely by foot, mule or helicopter.
Helicopter evacuations started after bridges have been washed away and rescuers fanned out amid a collection of towering waterfalls.
The health worker’s workplace and park service are investigating her demise.