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BRYCE, Garfield County — A park ranger at Bryce Canyon National Park has died from injuries sustained after tripping and falling while on duty.
About 11:30 p.m. Friday, ranger Tom Lorig, 78, was working with park visitors during the park's annual Astronomy Festival. While directing a visitor to a shuttle bus, Lorig fell and struck his head on a large rock, according to a news release by the National Park Service.
The visitor found Lorig to be unresponsive and notified a nearby law enforcement ranger. National park rangers, medically trained bystanders along with local EMS personnel attempted to provide initial lifesaving care but were unsuccessful in reviving Lorig, the news release said.
"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," said Park Superintendent Jim Ireland.
"As our community processes and grieves this terrible loss, we extend our deepest condolences to all of ranger Lorig's family and friends. We also want to express gratitude to the National Park Service and Garfield County emergency services staff who responded as well as to the bystanders who assisted NPS first responders," Ireland said.
He served as a registered nurse in Seattle, Washington, for 40 years and as a permanent, seasonal, and volunteer park ranger for over 10 years. He began his work in the National Parks Service at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in June of 1968. Throughout his service, he worked in 14 different national parks.
"Tom was a dedicated public servant, and his loss will be felt by the many who knew him across the National Park Service," the news release said.
