One dead in fall from Grand Canyon rim

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. — Authorities at Grand Canyon National Park say a person has died after apparently falling off the South Rim.

Park officials say they received call shortly after 1 p.m. Monday about someone who had fallen off the rim at Mather Point.

A National Park Service helicopter located the body about 400 feet below the rim.

Park Service search and rescue crews are working to recover the body. Its gender wasn’t immediately known.

Authorities say Mather Point will remain closed to the public until further notice.

Park statistics show that about 4.5 million people visit the Grand Canyon each year and an average of 12 people die there annually. An average two to three deaths per year are from falls over the rim.