Wyatt Kauffman, a 13-year-old boy from North Dakota, was visiting the Grand Canyon’s North Rim with his family on August 12, 2023, when he had a near-fatal accident. He fell nearly 100 feet from a ledge while moving out of the way for people to take pictures.
“I don’t remember anything after I fell. It was just black,” Wyatt said in an interview with ABC News.
He suffered multiple injuries, including nine broken vertebrae, a ruptured spleen, a collapsed lung, and a broken hand. His mother, Jessica Kauffman, who witnessed the fall, said she thought he was gone.
“It was very scary. I thought he was dead,” she said.
Wyatt was rescued by a team of park rangers who rappelled down the cliff and airlifted him to a hospital in Flagstaff, Arizona. He underwent several surgeries and spent four days in the intensive care unit.
Dr. Randall Friese, chief medical officer at Flagstaff Medical Center, said Wyatt was very lucky to survive the fall and avoid major complications.
“He’s very lucky. He could have easily died or been paralyzed,” Dr. Friese said.
Wyatt has since been discharged and is recovering at home with his family. He said he is grateful for the work of everyone who helped him.
“I’m just grateful for everyone who helped me. They saved my life,” he said.
Joelle Baird, public information officer for Grand Canyon National Park, said the rescue team did an amazing job and praised Wyatt’s resilience.
“We’re very proud of our team. They did an amazing job,” Baird said. “He’s a very strong kid.”
The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting more than six million visitors every year. However, it is also one of the most dangerous places, with an average of 12 deaths and hundreds of injuries annually.
Baird said visitors should always be careful and follow the safety guidelines when exploring the park.
“Stay on designated trails and walkways. Always keep a safe distance from the edge. Be aware of your surroundings and other visitors. And most importantly, enjoy the beauty and wonder of this natural wonder,” she said.
Relevant articles:
– Boy survives 100ft Grand Canyon fall after dodging tourist photo, BBC News, August 14, 2023
– North Dakota teen survives 100-foot fall at North Rim of Grand Canyon, MSN, August 14, 2023
– 13-year-old speaks after avoiding major injury in nearly 100-foot Grand Canyon fall, ABC News, August 14, 2023
– 13-year-old tourist survives nearly 100-foot fall at Grand Canyon, MSN, August 14, 2023