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Hickory man killed after falling hundreds of feet at Grand Canyon National Park

Abel Joseph Mejia fell 400 feet down from the rim near the Pipe Creek Overlook.

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — A Hickory, North Carolina man who was visiting Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona died after after falling near an overlook Wednesday.

Park staff said they were called to a part of the park about a quarter of a mile west of the Pipe Creek Overlook just before 11 a.m. Mountain time for the fall. Rangers found 20-year-old Abel Joseph Mejia had fallen to his death from a rim. He fell about 400 feet.

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Park rangers said Mejia was near the edge of the rim and fell accidentally. An investigation remains ongoing. 

Staff shared a reminder for visitors to keep at least six feet away from the edge of the rim, and to stay behind fences and railings at overlooks.

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Hickory is located about 60 miles northwest of Charlotte.

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