A 67-year-old man died last weekend at Arches National Park, following a report that he was in distress.
Gerald Demko of Marana, Arizona, was found on Sunday, Aug. 21, about 1 mile from the Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trailhead. He is the third person who has died in the vicinity of Delicate Arch since late June.
Park personnel and Classic Lifeguard Helicopter crews responded to the scene, after dispatchers were alerted at about 1:10 p.m. that Demko was in distress. Authorities say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Although the cause of his death has not been determined, park officials advise visitors to take simple precautions if they visit Arches during periods of extreme heat.
According to the agency, visitors should stay inside and limit their activity during the heat of the day, and instead hike early in the morning or later in the day, once temperatures have dropped.
Hikers should drink at least one gallon of water per day, and they should watch for signs of heat illness and dehydration, such as fatigue, irritability, profuse sweating, confusion, cramping, dry skin, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches and dizziness.
