A newlywed Denver couples road trip to Arches National Park in Utah this summer ended in tragedy when a metal gate at the park exit swung open, impaled the couples car and decapitated the woman, a 25-year-old Ugandan human rights activist. Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 5:30am by Lolo. Zion National Park - 196 miles. Park rangers said the incident happened Friday when the 71-year-old man from Massachusetts was with his wife and son. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. It worked. 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. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! A man has died after collapsing to the ground while hiking in Arches National Park. 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. Attorneys for Michaud and Nakajjigos family gave their opening arguments when the civil trial began Monday. Things to do in Zion. @ArielleHarrison https://t.co/YoCT50YObz. Aptly named for the many red rock formations that look like arches within the park, Delicate Arch is one of the most famous. A man has died after collapsing to the ground while hiking in Arches National Park. When you are there, you cant help feel that it should be included among the greats. Denver7 reached out to he National Park Service to ask about the accident. Please enter valid email address to continue. DENVER -- Ludovic Michaud has notified the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service that he intends to file a wrongful death lawsuit because of a The complaint also describes how Michaud had to witness the grisly scene. After moving to Colorado, Nakajjigo met her husband hed moved to the area from France and the pair married in March, just as the coronavirus pandemic began to make news. 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. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 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. While most people have heard of Yosemite and Joshua Tree, this California park doesnt get enough recognition for its beauty. 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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. She was also the brains behind two reality TV shows that aimed to empower young mothers and encourage girls to stay in school. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He said he didn't deny Nakajjigo was an extraordinary person, but argued it was difficult to speculate what kind of work she would have gone on to do. Denver7's Lance Hernandez reports. 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. The incident will remain under investigation by the Grand County Sheriffs Office as well as the National Park Service, the outlet cites. Attorney: 'For want of an $8 padlock, woman lost life'. 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. 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 The weather was inclement and conditions were slippery following rain and snow. Intense sunlight, low humidity, and open desert with a lack of shade all compound these temperatures to make them potentially deadly to visitors. After requesting that the family leave the courtroom, she recounted the moment Michaud realized his wife had been killed, when he inhaled the copper-tinged smell of blood, turned to figure out what it was and saw she was dead. She also said it should have been installed to swing inwards for incoming traffic, not outwards. 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 park service previously issued a statement expressing sympathy to Nakajjigos family. What will ending the COVID-19 emergency look like in the US? They appeared to be hiking together and may have been related, noted the sheriffs statement. During the trial, a U.S. attorney representing the government said, "The United States was 100 percent at fault. Photo: Getty Images. Out in this vast, challenging desert, location and rescue can take hours even days. Esther Nakajjigo, a native of Uganda, accomplished more at age 25 than most do in a lifetime. I guess the great state of Utah wanted to keep it all for herself. "On behalf of the United States, we again extend our condolences to Ms. Nakajjigo's friends, family and beloved community.". The others are Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Canyonlands National Park. Nakajjigo worked on fundraising to open a hospital in an underserved part of Kampala, Uganda's capital, became a philanthropic celebrity and immigrated to the United States for a fellowship at the Boulder, Colorado-based Watson Institute for emerging leaders. The couple hiked to Delicate Arch and ate lunch in the Windows area before starting their drive out of the park. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good," the claim said. @ArielleHarrison 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. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Film fanatics headed to Luck ranch for Texas Film Hall of Fame, New street drug 'tranq dope,' rots skin, turns humans into 'zombies', Girl Scouts victim of theft in South Austin; no girls injured, San Marcos police searching for hit-and-run suspect; 61-year-old victim still unable to walk, Man charged in shooting death of Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso ordered held without bond, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K, Giant bug found at an Arkansas Walmart identified as a Jurassic-era insect, Teen musician Dorian 'ZEV' Kweller remembered as uniquely talented, hard-working, Disneyland banned Rebel Wilson over selfie, actress says, Camila Alves McConaughey on Austin flight that 'dropped almost 4,000 feet'; 7 people reportedly hurt, Austin weather: Warmer temps continue into next week, Another US agency assesses COVID-19 origin likely a Chinese 'lab leak': report, FDA approves combination flu-COVID test for home use, Governor Abbott gives 2023 State of the State Address, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson tests positive for COVID-19. Higgins did not immediately return PEOPLE's request for comment. She could lift mountains, basically, in her own way. She was one in a billion, Your Honor, attorney Randi McGinn told the judge, according to FOX 13 Salt Lake City. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Ugandas Young Personality of the Year.. Park staff told investigators the gate was usually left unsecured, and that typically the gates own weight kept it in place, so it was not locked in place by any other means. A woman stands beneath Double Arch in Arches National Park near Moab in Utah. An unidentified 60-year-old woman and 65-year-old man were killed in the fall Friday into the lower bowl area next to the iconic arch, according to a statement from the Grand County Sheriffs Office in Moab, Utah. (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. End your National Park Log with a "Well, That Happened Checklist" and a page to list goals for your next visit; COLLECT THE WHOLE SERIES: There are 32 unique and beautiful covers in this National Park Passport Journal series. She served as an ambassador for women and girls in her native Uganda, and created a reality TV show to combat early pregnancy and forced marriage. 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. Gabby Petito's Parents File $50 Million Lawsuit Against Utah Police Over Her Death, Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino and Lauren Sorrentino's Relationship Timeline, Utah Babysitter Claimed Infant Stopped Breathing in Crib. "Essie was a remarkable humanitarian and champion for women and girls. Always check the weather before visiting Arches. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says. In November, Petito's family filed $50 million lawsuit against the Moab Police Department Delicate Arch is one of the three main arches featured on Utah license plates. She reportedly moved to Colorado for a social entrepreneurship program at the Watson Institute in Boulder. 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. "I don't want anyone or any other family to go through what we've been through," Michaud told CBS affiliate KUTV. 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. Arches National Park. Attorney Randi McGinn, representing Nakajjigo's family, on Monday described the death in gruesome detail. 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. 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. Travelogue; Other covers in the series include Arches, Death Valley, Denali, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, The mild temperatures, stunning desert landscapes, and lack of crowds make it an ideal place for peaceful winter camping. This incident happened June 13 just before 2 p.m. as the couple were leaving the park, according to the claim. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "It could have happened to the people in front of us, or behind us," he said. At this time, I do not have more information to share.". Photo courtesy Grand County Sheriff's Office. This story has been shared 144,788 times. 3. r/JoshuaTree. Ludovic's attorney, Deborah Chang, told Denver7 the entrance gate should have been locked open, and not allowed to swing freely. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. "Our sympathies go out to Esther Nakajjigo's family, friends and those whose lives she impacted," Public Affairs specialist Vanessa Lacayo said in a statement. There, an investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and Grand County. / CBS/AP. The family Essie Nakajjigo, an activist who died in Arches National Park in 2020, is preparing to head to trial for a wrongful death lawsuit. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Without warning, a gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung into the cars path. It wasnt immediately clear why the three fell. But on June 13, she and her husband needed a break from quarantine and headed toward Arches National Park in Utah. "Delicate arch looks like it might fall over at any time. 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. In Sequoia National Park, the highlight is seeing the massive redwood trees, some of which may be up to 2,000 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 Service. The suit does not specify the amount the plaintiffs are seeking, though it accuses park staff of negligence. 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.. We are grateful that Judge Jenkins honored Essie's life and legacy with this award," Littlepage said in a statement to PEOPLE. 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. Staying with companions while hiking allows for emergency aid contact, as was the case in this mans tragic death. Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. 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 metal pole forming the top of the gate pierced the passenger side of the car and struck Nakajjigo in the head and neck. WebHere are some of the highlights of my countless trips to the three National Parks (Banff, Jasper and Yoho) in the Canadian Rockies. Rebel Wilson says she was banned from Disneyland over a selfie. Users on Facebook offered their condolences, with one saying she hopes the nearby town of Moab will gather round the family of the deceased to support them. "I'm trying to be a star, to be able to lighten the lives of the people who feel it's dark," she said. Nakajjigo accomplished more by age 25 than most people do in a lifetime. A third Californian, a 30-year-old man, also fell and was injured. Thanks for contacting us. 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 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. "Emergency response personnel from the National Park Service, Grand County Sheriffs Office, Grand County EMS, Moab City Police Department, Utah Highway Patrol and Moab Valley Fire Department responded to the scene to provide assistance. Winter conditions make for slippery hiking; proceed with caution. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "I've always wanted to meet him, though not in this way," he said. Unseasonably warm temperatures can take hold of the desert any time of year. A family hike in Arches National Park ended in tragedy as a Massachusetts father collapsed while exploring with his wife and son. Shelly Bradbury is the courts reporter at the Denver Post. 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. 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. "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. Yosemite, and Death Valley. The couple had been married about three months. The lawsuit alleges that a simple $8 padlock could have prevented the gate from swinging, and claims the park violated regulations, CBS Colorado reported. 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. This story was reported from Los Angeles. Alongside theNational Park Service, Outsider wants visit to be safe, memorable, enjoyable, and above all: safe. Apparently when Disneyland says no selfies, they mean it - even if you're a celebrity! "Paid $20 to get in. The victim was transported to the Grand County Medical Examiners Office to determine a cause of death. On Sept. 1, Laundrie returned to his parents' home in Florida alone. Liability is the exception rather than the rule, Kozlowski said. 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, after wind caught a traffic control gate and blew it into the rented Chevy Malibu driven by her husband, Ludo Michaud. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. Her case was labeled a homicide, with Laundrie being the sole suspect. Each area is unique and provides its guests with diverse experiences so it is good to stay in one of these areas or the nearby villages of Valles, Williams, and Tusayan. It has that national park feel. 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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. She had like a tremendous potential, Michaud told the TV station of his late wife. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Tuxedo cat named Augustus Gloop is up for adoption, Utah BASE jumper slams into side of mountain. See details. Deputies of the Grand County Sheriff's Office reported that a 71 year old Rep. 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Of the accidents aftermath, Michaud told FOX 13: I saw the worst thing I hope I will ever see.. 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. Stars of 'Tiger King' : Where Are They Now? Utah (ABC4) Staff members at Arches National Park recovered a deceased body on Saturday, October 1, 2022. In the court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Denver, Chang described the gates as the same color as the landscape. A widow and his wifes family are seeking $140 million in damages from the U.S. government more than two years after a woman was killed in aUtah national park. Essie's father John Bocso Kateregga will receive $350,000. Doesn't look anything like the license plate." They went on a hike and had a picnic, and were driving to get ice cream when the gate swung into their path. Nakajjigo was a Ugandan singer and actress who reportedly did charity work. Arches park rangers respond to hundreds of search and rescue incidents (SARs) each year in both Arches and Canyonlands. The National Park Service has, in fact, known for decades that an unsecured metal pipe gate creates an undetectable hazard and dangerous condition for its park invitees, the claim reads, noting at least three other instances since 1988 in which people in cars were fatally impaled by such gates. First responders arrived on the scene and performed CPR before the man was pronounced dead. Michaud and Nakajjigo had been married for just under three months when they decided to go see the Arches. Death Valley National Park - 366 miles. Nelson, the government's attorney, said an appropriate award would be $3.5 million, far less than the $140 million being pursued. "She was the woman I was trying to spend my life with," said the Parisian who'd moved to the U.S. "Everything was perfect.". A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. Chang filed the paperwork notifying the National Park Service that a lawsuit will be filed in U.S. District Court in Denver, seeking damages for Ludovic, and for Nakajjigo's mother and father. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you with its We've received your submission. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. 1 / 9. Esther Bryce Canyon National Park - 188 miles. 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 According to park officials, staff located the deceased female in the Devils Garden Area around 6:45 p.m. Paramore apologizes to He ultimately took his own life at a nearby environmental park. The womans family alleges the park was negligent in not locking down the gate that rammed through her car. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. United Statesattorneys do not dispute that park officials shouldered the blame but argued the amount the family should be awarded is far less at $3.5 million and called into question the ways in which the damages being sought were calculated. The area around Delicate Arch was temporarily closed off after the tragedy, but reopened later Friday. First published on December 6, 2022 / 9:23 AM. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. I ended her life, he reportedly wrote in October 2021. A man has died after collapsing to the ground while hiking in Arches National Park. Esther Nakajjigo, whod moved to Colorado in 2019 to attend the Watson Institute in Boulder, was killed instantly. In a statement to the newspaper, U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah Trina Higgins, said Nakajjigo's family was entitled to damages. A video tribute to his wife showed her talking about her name, in an earlier recording. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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.". CPR was performed on the individual on site. Arches National Park - 332 miles. A National Park Service spokeswoman declined to comment on the lawsuit Monday. Nakajjigo grew up in Uganda and at 17 was recognized by the United Nations for her work for women shed donated her college tuition money to start a nonprofit community health center that provided free reproductive health services to young women. For more on the parks HEAT KILLS safety program, see our full Arches National Park Safety breakdown here. The plaintiffs contend multiple federal policies require such gates to be secured, but that the gate near the visitors center at Arches was unlatched for two weeks before it struck Nakajjigo. 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. A family hike in Arches National Park ended in tragedy as a Massachusetts father collapsed while exploring with his wife and son. 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.
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