Woman on Colorado River trip in Grand Canyon dies after falling from boat

PHOENIX — A Tennessee woman died over the weekend after falling from her boat while on a Colorado River trip in the Grand Canyon, authorities said Monday.

Sheetal Patel, 47, was cooling off along Pipe Creek Beach on Saturday around 2 p.m. when she was caught by the current in the Colorado River, park officials said in a press release.

Commercial guides reached the woman by boat, pulled her from the river and began CPR. National Park Service search and rescue personnel responded and also assisted with resuscitation efforts, but all attempts were unsuccessful, according to the release.

Park rangers were flown to the location by helicopter and pronounced the woman dead.

The National Park Service is conducting an investigation into the death in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner.

Patel had recently hiked into the canyon to begin a multi-day boating trip from Phantom Ranch, park officials said.

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