A man and woman from Florida died after falling roughly 380 feet from Inspiration Point, a scenic overlook known for its sweeping views at Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park. The victims, identified as 45-year-old Matthew Nannen and 58-year-old Bailee Crane, were discovered by fellow park visitors on Tuesday, April 29.
According to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, the pair appeared to have crossed a safety railing prior to the fall. Recent snowfall and slick conditions along the edge may have played a role in the deadly accident. Emergency crews, including search and rescue teams, park rangers, and the Department of Public Safety’s Aero Bureau, worked together to recover the bodies by helicopter.
The couple had reportedly been traveling through Arizona before making their way to Utah. In a remarkable twist, a senior cat believed to be traveling with the couple was found alive in a torn, soft-sided carrier near the scene. Despite the fall, the cat survived and is now recovering under veterinary care.
Nannen and Crane’s journey west was one many Floridians take each year, drawn by the stunning natural landmarks of the American Southwest.
