Park Ranger Collapses on Trail in Utah

A park ranger collapsed and died while hiking at Square Tower Ruin Trail at Hovenweep National Monument in Utah on Jan. 29.

Ranger Chris Nickel, 54, was discovered by a park visitor on the trail and was rushed to the visitor center.

EMS personal responded but efforts to revive Nickel were unsuccessful and he was pronounced at the scene.

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Department has determined he died of natural causes.

Nickel is survived by his wife.

He began his career in 1995 at Natural Bridges, N.M. and became a permanent employee at Hovenweep in 2002.