Student, 20, falls 400ft to his death from Grand Canyon Pipe Creek Overlook as tributes paid to ‘gentle spirit’
COLLEGE student Abel Joseph Mejia died on Wednesday after a 400ft fall at the Grand Canyon National Park.
On Wednesday, park officials were told that the student from North Carolina had fallen below the rim near the Pipe Creek overlook.
First responders retrieved the 20-year-old's body with a high-angle technical rescue system which was pictured in a news release.
"On Wednesday, July 31 at 10:40 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a visitor who fell from the rim approximately ¼ mile west of Pipe Creek Overlook," the press release from park officials stated.
"Responding rangers located the body of Abel Joseph Mejia, 20, of Hickory, North Carolina 400 ft. below the rim."
Officials say that Mejia suffered "an accidental fall" at the edge of the rim.
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His death is being investigated by The National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office.
All visitors to the park are urged to stay on the trails and designated walkways to maintain a safe distance of at least six feet from the edge of the rim.
Tourists should also stay on the right side of railings and fences when at overlook points.
Tributes for the student have flooded in from the Indiana Bible College where he studied.
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"We feel deep sadness due to the tragic loss of one of our students, Abel Mejia," a post on Facebook read.
"Abel lost his life yesterday in an accident while visiting the Grand Canyon.
"He was known for his warm smile and gentle spirit, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him."
The college sent its prayers to Meija's grieving family and friends and shared several images of the student as a tribute.
"Thoughts and prayers for the Mejia family!!" a former teacher wrote in the comments.
"Abel was such a sweet boy with an amazing family when he was in my classroom many years ago!"
Mejia was visiting the Grand Canyon on a day off from a missions trip, Lindel Anderson, the dean of music at Indiana Bible College said on Facebook.
"He would have been a sophomore this year. His brother, Josh Mejia just graduated in May," the dean added.
Mejia's sister Steffany Bishop launched a GoFundMe page on behalf of her family to raise money for funeral costs and the return of Mejia's body from Arizona.
"Yesterday we tragically lost my dear little brother Abel," she wrote.
"He was out doing what he loved. Reaching the youth and telling them about Jesus.
"If anyone knew Abel, they would tell you that he was the most polite, sweet, Jesus-loving young man that they knew. His smile could lighten up a room. His laughter was so contagious.
"Our hearts are so heavy right now and we don’t know how we are suppose to go on with this loss.
"The only comfort we get is that he served Jesus with his whole heart. We know that he is in His arms."
At the time of writing, over $30,300 has been raised from a target of $20,000.
Falls are listed as one of the top three causes of unintentional deaths at National Parks between 2014 and 2019, according to National Park Service Data.
During this period, there were 205 fatal falls across National Park Service parks.
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Falls were topped only by drowning and motor vehicle crashes.
Meija's death comes just days after 20-year-old Arizona State University student Grace Rohloff fell 200ft to her death while hiking a Yosemite trail with her father.
