Hiker Falls To His Death In Canyon

Rangers received a report of a falling accident near the park’s east entrance on the afternoon of November 29th. The reporting party said that Craig Forster, 55, of Salt Lake City, had fallen about 20 feet while hiking in a side canyon off Highway 9 and that he’d landed on his head and was unconscious. When rangers arrived 12 minutes later, they were told by bystanders near the road that CPR was in progress. Rangers and park medics continued CPR and employed an AED, but were unable to revive Forster. His body was transferred to the Kane County medical examiner. An investigation by the park and sheriff’s office is underway, but it appears that Forster was attempting to descend a small slope after scrambling up to a flat ledge with other hikers when he lost his footing. He slid down a slope and was able to hang on for a short time before losing his grip and falling. Therese Picard is the lead investigating ranger.