Bryce Canyon ranger dies after on-duty accident

BRYCE CANYON, Utah — Last night around 11:30 p.m., 78-year-old Park Ranger Tom Lorig died after tripping and falling while on-duty. 

At the time, Lorig was working at Bryce Canyon’s annual Astronomy Festival. According to the Bryce Canyon news release, while directing a visitor to a shuttle bus, Lorig fell and struck his head on a large rock.

After realizing Lorig was unresponsive the visitor quickly notified a ranger. Medically trained bystanders, park rangers and EMS personnel all cooperated to give him care but were unsuccessful in reviving Lorig. 

“Tom Lorig served Bryce Canyon, the National Park Service, and the public as an interpretive park ranger, forging connections between the world and these special places that he loved,” Park Superintendent Jim Ireland said.

Lorig served for 40 years as a registered nurse. He then went on to serve as a park ranger in 14 different national park sites on and off for over 10 years. 

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