Denver7's Lance Hernandez reports. Yosemite, and Death Valley. A spokeswoman said the single vehicle accident happened June 13 on the entrance road of Arches National Park, near the Visitor's Center, and that the entrance was shut down for several hours. The lawsuit alleges that a simple $8 padlock could have prevented the gate from swinging, and claims the park violated regulations, CBS Colorado reported. The Late 'Rust' Cinematographer's Family, Life and Career, Jen Shah Fraud Case: U.S. Government Requests to Sentence 'RHOSLC' Star to 10 Years in Prison, Gabby Petito's Family Wins $3 Million from Brian Laundrie's Estate In Wrongful Death Suit, Fact-Checking the George Santos Claims: From Goldman Sachs Employee to College 'Volleyball Star', Jen Shah's Victim Impact Letters Detail 'Everyday Struggle' After Fraud Scheme 'Turned Our Lives Upside Down'. (KKCO) - The National Park Service announced in a press release that it has identified the body of a woman found in Arches National Park earlier this week. I dont want this incident to reproduce itself ever again.. The complaint also describes how Michaud had to witness the grisly scene. They appeared to be hiking together and may have been related, noted the sheriffs statement. They headed to Arches National Park as soon as the park reopened in June, eager for an adventure. Photo: Getty Images. Ludovic Michaud and his new wife, Esther Nakajjigo, were driving aroundArches National Parkon a windy spring day in 2020 when a metal gate whipped around, sliced through the passenger door of his car and decapitated Nakajjigo. "I'm trying to be a star, to be able to lighten the lives of the people who feel it's dark," she said. The womans family alleges the park was negligent in not locking down the gate that rammed through her car. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. Nakajjigo was a Ugandan singer and actress who reportedly did charity work. 165. Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. During the trial, a U.S. attorney representing the government said, "The United States was 100 percent at fault. A third man who fell was airlifted to a local hospital in Moab. Apparently when Disneyland says no selfies, they mean it - even if you're a celebrity! On February 24, park witnesses saw the 71-year-old male collapsing to the ground and becomingunresponsive, Arches (ARCH) officials report. At Arches, you can expect to see animals such as bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, and a variety of bird species such as golden eagles and peregrine falcons. "We respect the judge's decision and hope this award will help her loved ones as they continue to heal for this tragedy," the statement read. 1. Attorneys for the family of a Ugandan activist killed by a swinging metal gate at Arches National Park in Utah are seeking $140 million in damages in a wrongful The family's lawsuit claims when the national parks reopened in April 2020 after being shuttered due to COVID-19, rangers at the national park in Utah didn't secure the gate in place, which in effect "turned a metal pipe into a spear that went straight through the side of a car, decapitating and killing Esther Nakajjigo.". A man has died after collapsing to the ground while hiking in Arches National Park. Two California visitors fell to their deaths while hiking to the Delicate Arch sandstone formation in Arches National Park. Utah (ABC4) Staff members at Arches National Park recovered a deceased body on Saturday, October 1, 2022. CPR was performed on the individual on site. SALT LAKE CITY The family of human rights activist Esther Nakajjigo, who was decapitated in an accident in Arches National Park, has sued the National Park First responders arrived on the scene and performed CPR before the man was pronounced dead. Michaud, in February, told FOX 13 about the trip to the park. Bryce Canyon National Park - 188 miles. I guess the great state of Utah wanted to keep it all for herself. They went on a hike and had a picnic, and were driving to get ice cream when the gate swung into their path. Canyonlands National Park - 339 miles. Esther Always check the weather before visiting Arches. Nakajjigo was a performer who used her celebrity to improve the status of women and girls in Uganda. The suit was filed last week in federal court in Denver by the widower and parents of Nakajjigo. Het Arches National Park is bekend vanwege de indrukwekkende rotsformaties en balancerende rotsen zoals de Courthouse Towers, Windows Section, Canyonlands National Park Jan. 31, 2023 Plan completed on October 18, 2022 9. FOX 13 reported earlier this year how Nakajjigo died June 13, 2020. "For how majestic these parks are, it's kind of shocking how rudimentary these gates are," she said. @ArielleHarrison https://t.co/YoCT50YObz. It's known for a series of sculpture-like fins and arches made of an orange sandstone that wind and water have eroded for centuries. Attorney: 'For want of an $8 padlock, woman lost life'. Read More FILE Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. WebArches National Park and Death Valley National Park are both home to a variety of unique and diverse wildlife. Esther Nakajjigo, a native of Uganda, accomplished more at age 25 than most do in a lifetime. A National Park Service spokeswoman declined to comment on the lawsuit Monday. Zoe Littlepage, a lead attorney on the case, told The Salt Lake Tribune, that "on behalf of the family, we are very appreciative of the judge's attention to detail, the time he spent working on this, and for the value he put on the loss to this family of Essie.". 1 / 9. It wasnt immediately clear why the three fell. UT; National Park; 23 miles and 0.5 hours from our last stop - 1 night stay. The mild temperatures, stunning desert landscapes, and lack of crowds make it an ideal place for peaceful winter camping. WebFactors that make Arches National Park sensitive to visitor damage include being a semiarid region, the scarce, unpredictable rainfall, lack of deep freezing, and lack of plant litter, which results in soils that have both a low resistance to and slow recovery from, compressional forces such as foot traffic. Death Valley National Park Jan. 31, 2023 Plan completed on August 17, 2022 USCA Case #19-1044 Document #1987865 Filed: 02/28/2023 Page 3 of 7 Arches National Park Jan. 31, 2023 Plan completed on October 18, 2022 8. The mans identity is private as the investigation continues. Photo provided by Ludovic Michaud Esther Nakajjigo, a Ugandan human rights activist, was killed in Arches National Park in Utah on June 13, 2020. "The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Uganda's 'Young Personality of the Year,'" the Denver Post reported. Esther Nakajjigo was killed at Arches National Park in 2020. WebFurnace Creek Campground Death Valley National Park Winter is the best time of year to camp at Furnace Creek Campground in Death Valley National Park. He was airlifted to Moab Regional Hospital. That unique landscape at Badwater Basin occurs because of its distance below sea level at -282 ft. Here are our favorites. It might fall over in the future. In October, Nakajjigos husband, Ludovic Michaud, and her parents filed a $270 million wrongful death claim a precursor to a formal lawsuit against the park, alleging that the gate should have been secured to prevent it from swinging into the road. A man has died after collapsing to the ground while hiking in Arches National Park. Ludovic Michaud was driving around the scenic red rock landscapes of Utah's Arches National Park on a windy spring day in 2020 when something unthinkable happened: A metal gate whipped around, sliced through the passenger door of his car and decapitated his new 25-year-old wife, Esther "Essie" Nakajjigo. Without warning, a gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung into the cars path. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the claim said. The others are Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Canyonlands National Park. WebThe cheapest way to get from Arches National Park to Death Valley National Park costs only $131, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The following month, the medical examiner in Sarasota County determined he died from a single gunshot wound to the head, self-inflicted. December 6, 2022 / 9:23 AM Ludovic's attorney, Deborah Chang, told Denver7 the entrance gate should have been locked open, and not allowed to swing freely. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. In fact it is the hottest and driest place on earth period. An investigation is underway and an analysis is expected from the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner to determine more details. A federal judge awarded more than $10 million to the family of a Ugandan human rights activist who was decapitated while on a visit to Arches National Park in 2020. Thanks for contacting us. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. The family of a women's rights activist from Uganda has filed a more than $270 million wrongful death claim against the National Park Service. Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 5:30am by Lolo. In opening statements Monday in Salt Lake City, attorneys representing Michaud and Nakajjigo's family said they were seeking $140 million in damages from the government. And we want to express on behalf of the United States our profound sorrow for your loss," per the newspaper. WebDeath Valley is known for its austere, barren, Mars-like terrain, but for a few weeks in the spring, this desolate National Park transforms into a colorful wildflower-studded garden. While most people have heard of Yosemite and Joshua Tree, this California park doesnt get enough recognition for its beauty. She said entrance gates should be locked into place whether they are open or closed. She described Nakajjigo as a prominent women's rights activist who rose from poverty to become the host of a solutions-oriented reality television series in Uganda focused on empowering women on issues such as education and healthcare. Esther Nakajjigo, whod moved to Colorado in 2019 to attend the Watson Institute in Boulder, was killed instantly. A hike through scenic Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, turned deadly for one man on Friday after he collapsed and became unresponsive on the trail. The park service previously issued a statement expressing sympathy to Nakajjigos family. Attorneys for Michaud and Nakajjigos family gave their opening arguments when the civil trial began Monday. Capitol Reef National Park - 238 miles. They said claims by the family's lawyers that Nakajjigo, who was 25 at the time of her death, was on track to be a nonprofit CEO shortly were too speculative to be used as a basis for damages. While most people have heard of Yosemite and Joshua Esther "Essie" Nakajjigo's husband Ludovic Michaud will receive $9.5 million while her mother Christine Namagembe will receive $700,000, according to the judgment filed in federal court. The incident will remain under investigation by the Grand County Sheriffs Office as well as the National Park Service, the outlet cites. A video tribute to his wife showed her talking about her name, in an earlier recording. We've received your submission. Below, youll find general hiking safety for the park that greatly increases the safety of your trip: In all national parks, the buddy system will always be the best way to ensure a safe visit. On February 24, park witnesses saw the 71-year-old male collapsing to the ground and becoming unresponsive, Arches (ARCH) officials report.That afternoon, emergency personnel would respond from Classic Nelson, the government's attorney, said an appropriate award would be $3.5 million, far less than the $140 million being pursued. She also said it should have been installed to swing inwards for incoming traffic, not outwards. According to park officials, staff located the deceased female in the Devils Garden Area around 6:45 p.m. Paramore apologizes to WebA $270 million wrongful death administrative claim was reportedly filed against Arches National Park after a 25-year-old human rights activist from Uganda was killed at the Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. The trial began Dec. 5 in Utah and was meant to determine how much money was owed to the family, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. The couple had been married about three months. The Associated Press 2:50 PM MST on Jan 31, 2023 SALT LAKE CITY The United States will pay family members of a Ugandan human rights activist killed in an accident at Arches National Park more than $10 million in damages, a Where is the National Park Visitor Center? A woman stands beneath Double Arch in Arches National Park near Moab in Utah. She reportedly moved to Colorado for a social entrepreneurship program at the Watson Institute in Boulder. 3. r/JoshuaTree. "Delicate arch looks like it might fall over at any time. The family is reportedly suing the park for $270 million. First published on December 6, 2022 / 9:23 AM. Deputies of the Grand County Sheriff's Office reported that a 71 year old Alongside theNational Park Service, Outsider wants visit to be safe, memorable, enjoyable, and above all: safe. Crater Lake National Park. I really wanted to show her Arches, he said, because I know all the parks around Moab It's one of my favorite places in the U.S., if not my favorite place.. Many of these incidents could be avoided with visitors planning and making responsible decisions. In November, Petito's family filed $50 million lawsuit against the Moab Police Department Zion National Park - 196 miles. Essie's father John Bocso Kateregga will receive $350,000. Our thoughts and condolences are with Nakajjigos friends and families. Tragically, the father was pronounced deceased at the scene. An unidentified 60-year-old woman and Shelly Bradbury is the courts reporter at the Denver Post. She was one in a billion, Your Honor, attorney Randi McGinn told the judge, according to FOX 13 Salt Lake City. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. WebDeath Valley National Park Spring Highlights DESERT WILDFLOWERS Spring in Death Valley can bring stunning wildflower blooms, which are uniquely contrasted against the austere terrain. In the court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Denver, Chang described the gates as the same color as the landscape. The park had 3.7 deaths for every 100,000 visitors from 2007 to 2021, more than three times the rate of the next-deadliest site, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park When you are there, you cant help feel that it should be included among the greats. A video of the crash shows Michaud was driving and Nakajjigo was in the front passenger seat as they drove toward the gate at about the same speed as other vehicles, according to a sheriffs report. That afternoon, emergency personnel would respond from Classic Air Medical, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management,and Grand County. A family hike in Arches National Park ended in tragedy as a Massachusetts father collapsed while exploring with his wife and son. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good," the claim said. Other covers in the series include Arches, Death Valley, Denali, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Arches National Park is open 24 hours a day year-round, regardless of the weather. What will ending the COVID-19 emergency look like in the US? "We don't know with any level of certainty what her plans were," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nelson said. Nakajjigo gained national notoriety in Uganda and created a reality TV show that helped child mothers stay in school and develop life skills, according to the claim. Ludovic Michaud and his new wife, Esther Nakajjigo, were driving around Arches National Park on a windy spring day in 2020 when a metal gate whipped Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, White supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes kicked out of CPAC, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Biden team readies new advisory panel ahead of expected reelection bid, House Democrats unhappy with White House handling of D.C.'s new criminal code, Vast majority of U.S. homes are unaffordable to the average buyer. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Tuxedo cat named Augustus Gloop is up for adoption, Utah BASE jumper slams into side of mountain. Lehman Caves Visitor Center There was less than a second between when the gate started to move and when it struck the car and killed Nakajjigo, according to the report. Attorneys for the family of a Ugandan activist killed by a swinging metal gate at Arches National Park in Utah are seeking $140 million in damages in a wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government By SAM METZ Associated Press December 5, 2022, 3:24 PM FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near @ArielleHarrison She joined the paper in 2019 and previously worked as a crime reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pennsylvania and the Chattanooga Times Free Press in Tennessee. Arches National Park - 332 miles. The 46-foot-tall Delicate Arch is the largest free-standing arch and the most widely known of the 2,000 arches in the park, which draws more than 1.5 million visitors per year. WebGRAND COUNTY, Utah A trial is underway after a woman was decapitated at Arches National Park. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Rangers warned visitors in a tweet to proceed with caution. Its a 3-mile-long, 480-foot climb from the closest parking to see the arch up close. "For the sake of a padlock and chain, that you have in your garage that is all that would have made a difference in his world," Chang said. Her case was labeled a homicide, with Laundrie being the sole suspect. "It could have happened to the people in front of us, or behind us," he said. What awaited them there was as awful as it was unthinkable. 71-Year-Old Man Collapses, Dies During Arches National Park Hike, Arches National Park Safety breakdown here, Arches trip, see our full overview of the national park here, Never rely on a cellular phone to summon help; cellular service will not reach into many areas of Arches, If you become lost, stay where you are and wait for rescue, Wandering alone will endanger your life and make finding you difficult, When traveling alone, always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. There, an investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and Grand County. United States attorneys do not dispute that park officials shouldered blame, but argued the amount the family should be awarded is far less and called into questions the ways in which the damages being sought were calculated. When California has experienced consistent winter rains, the spring wildflower blooms in Death Valley can reach super bloom status, which last happened in 2016. Death Valley National Park in California might be one of the most underrated parks in the country. Additionally, The Utah Office of the Medical Examiner will analyze the mans body due to the sudden, unexpected and unknown manner of his death, local 2KUTV reports. RELATED: Utah teen dies after falling 150 feet while climbing near cliff, police say. Stay safe out there, Outsiders. On Sept. 1, Laundrie returned to his parents' home in Florida alone. She could lift mountains, basically, in her own way. Nakajjigo was Uganda's ambassador for women and girls, and ran a health center in her home country that she set up when she was just 17 years old to provide free health services to adolescents. "Essie was a remarkable humanitarian and champion for women and girls. It worked. / CBS/AP. Wake up to the day's most important news. For more on the parks HEAT KILLS safety program, see our full Arches National Park Safety breakdown here. He noted she had recently worked as a host at a restaurant around the time of her death and didn't have a Bachelor's degree. A family hike in Arches National Park ended in tragedy as a Massachusetts father collapsed while exploring with his wife and son. Luca Galuzzi via Wikimedia Commons. Didn't even get to touch lava." WebHet Arches National Park is een klein nationaal park bij Moab in het oosten van de Amerikaanse staat Utah.Er zijn diverse wandelingen (trails) in het park.Ook is er een bezoekerscentrum. According to the Grand County Sheriffs Department, the 71-year-old from Massachusetts was out hiking with his wife and son when the tragic incident occurred. In Pittsburgh, she helped the newspaper earn the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news after a mass shooting at a local synagogue, and in 2020 she was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in local reporting for an investigation into child sexual abuse among Amish and Mennonite communities. Winter conditions make for slippery hiking; proceed with caution. The Associated Press contributed to this report. WebHere are some of the highlights of my countless trips to the three National Parks (Banff, Jasper and Yoho) in the Canadian Rockies. Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico, House where JonBent Ramsey was found dead on sale for nearly $7 million. "I've always wanted to meet him, though not in this way," he said. The tragic accident is now the subject of a wrongful death lawsuit Michaud and Nakajjigo's family are pursuing, in which they argue that the U.S. Park Service was negligent and did not maintain the gates at the entrances and exits to the parks, leading to Nakajjigo's death. authenticate users, apply security measures, and prevent spam and abuse, and, display personalised ads and content based on interest profiles, measure the effectiveness of personalised ads and content, and, develop and improve our products and services. Higgins did not immediately return PEOPLE's request for comment. Liability is the exception rather than the rule, Kozlowski said. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. A Torrance couple died and their adult son was injured after the family of three plummeted down a 100-foot slope in Arches National Park in Utah on Friday, Nov. 29, officials said. In a statement to the newspaper, U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah Trina Higgins, said Nakajjigo's family was entitled to damages. It has that national park feel. Nakajjigos family will have to show her death was caused by more than negligence, said James C. Kozlowski, an associate professor of recreation management at George Mason University who studies legal issues in the outdoor industry. Arches National Park. Death Valley National Park in California might be one of the most underrated parks in the country. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Those experiencing previous health conditions, such as heart disease, are at greater risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, both of which can be deadly. Grand Canyon National Park is divided into 4 major areas: The South Rim, North Rim, Grand Canyon East, and West Grand Canyon. Out in this vast, challenging desert, location and rescue can take hours even days. Nakajjigo and Michaud spent June 13, 2020, at Arches National Park in Utah as a way to celebrate their one-year anniversary of when they first met, according to the Associated Press. "On behalf of the United States, we again extend our condolences to Ms. Nakajjigo's friends, family and beloved community.". This verdict, though the largest by a federal judge in Utah history, cannot replace the immeasurable loss suffered by her husband and family. 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Things to do in Zion. WebDeath Valley in Fall; Yosemite in the Fall; Pacific Northwest; Utah Off-Roading; Southern CA Deserts; Yosemite & Covid; Lake Powell Covid; Arches National Park, UT. Death Valley National Park, California-Nevada It's a place of extremes: Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest places on earth, it's also one of the darkest. Nakajjigo's younger brother John, who traveled from Uganda to the U.S. to be at the trial, told KUTV that life without his sister has been extremely tough, but he is grateful for the opportunity to be at the trial and also meet Nakajjigo's husband for the first time. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. A man has died after collapsing to the ground while hiking in Arches National Park. (Athea Trial Lawyers) Esther Nakajjigo is shown in this undated photo. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. To plan the safest and most enjoyable Arches trip, see our full overview of the national park here. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says. In Sequoia National Park, the highlight is seeing the massive redwood trees, some of which may be up to 2,000 Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. A 71-year-old visitor from Massachusetts collapsed and died on a family hike at Arches National Park in Utah, the National Park Service reported. He ultimately took his own life at a nearby environmental park. The United States will pay more than $10 million in damages If you have a story idea or tip for the FOX 13 Investigative unit, please share it with us below: Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. As they entered the park on June 13, high winds blew the park entrance gate, a swinging pole, back across the highway. 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