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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Tuesday, February 13, 2007 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Girl Falls To Death From Gunnison Point Overlook Early on the morning of February 10th, rangers came upon a car in the visitor center parking lot, but could find no visitors in the area. A brief search led to the discovery that someone had fallen about 1,200 feet into the canyon from the Gunnison Point overlook. Three rangers were flown by helicopter to the floor of the canyon and undertook a technical ascent to the body, an effort that involved a 140-foot vertical ice climb. Due to fading daylight, the three rangers had to spend the night in the canyon. Early the next morning, they lowered themselves and the body to a safe landing zone. Although foul weather was moving into the area, the helicopter was able to fly the team and the body out of the canyon. The victim is believed to be a 17-year-old girl from nearby Montrose. The investigation is continuing. The body was taken to the county coroner, who will determine the manner and cause of death. [Linda Alick, Chief Ranger] Gateway NRA Body Found In Spring Creek Area The body of an unidentified man was found on the evening of February 7th in the Spring Creek section of the park. Park Police and NYPD investigators believe that he was a homeless person who'd often been seen in a residential neighborhood that adjoins the park. He appears to have crossed the boundary into this deserted section of Gateway, then settled next to a walking trail to sleep for the night. The medical examiner's office is working to determine the exact cause of death, but initial police reports suggest that he probably succumbed to hypothermia. [Brian Feeney, Public Affairs Officer] OTHER NEWS Other news from today's edition of InsideNPS, the National Park Service's home page: Lincoln Memorial - On Monday, February 12th, Secretary Kempthorne spoke at the 198th anniversary of the birth of President Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial, urging all Americans to carry him in their hearts because he symbolizes the best of America. Director's Office - Dan Wenk, Bill Shaddox and Kate Stevenson have been detailed, respectively, to the following positions - Acting Deputy Director/Operations, Acting Associate Director Park Planning, Facilities and Lands, and Acting Assistant Director, Business Services. Rocky Mountain NP - News story: State wildlife commissioners will seek to change a 78-year-old federal law so that hunters would be allowed inside Rocky Mountain National Park to manage a growing and pesky elk herd. NPS Alumni - On Wednesday, February 7th, retired Gettysburg NMP interpretive ranger Becky Lyons passed away at Gettysburg Hospital. This announcement has been updated to include a change in funeral arrangements. Catoctin MP - Catoctin is recruiting for a GS-11 visitor protection supervisor. The ranger selected for this position will supervise at least four rangers in a full range of protection responsibilities. To link to InsideNPS, click on HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/" http://inside.nps.gov/ * * * * * Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA. --- ### --- |