A tragic discovery was made in Grand Canyon National Park when the body of a man was found more than two weeks after he vanished. He had been traveling on the Colorado River with his dog on a homemade raft.
Authorities from the National Park Service have stated that the body is likely that of Thomas L. Robison, a 58-year-old man. “The body of a man has been recovered more than two weeks after he went missing in a makeshift raft with his dog on the Colorado River at Grand Canyon National Park, according to authorities,” they announced on Monday, May 13. The Coconino County Medical Examiner is working to confirm his identity officially.
The reason for Robison’s trip and how he died are still unknown. “His cause of death or the purpose of his trip have not been disclosed by authorities at this time,” the National Park Service shared. They first learned about the body when they received a call on Friday, May 10, about a body spotted in the river near mile 6. “On Friday, May 10, National Park Service personnel were notified of a body in the Colorado River near river mile 6,” they reported.
Robison had reportedly set out to travel down the river with his dog, leaving behind his car. “On April 24, officials said in a release that Robison believed to have attempted travel down the Colorado River with his dog on a wooden raft and abandoned his personal vehicle at Lees Ferry,” according to the Park Service. Lees Ferry is a key location because it is the only place within Glen Canyon where you can drive right up to the Colorado River.
Earlier, authorities had released a photo of the raft Robison used. It was made from three wooden planks of different colors, tied together with ropes of various colors. Alongside the raft, there was a paddle and an orange life jacket. They also shared pictures of Robison, who was seen with his corgi dog that has light brown and white fur in the photos. There has been no update on whether the dog was found or if it survived.
The Colorado River, where this incident occurred, flows for nearly 1,500 miles from the Rocky Mountains all the way to Mexico, as per American Rivers.
An official investigation into what happened is being carried out by the National Park Service together with the Coconino County Medical Examiner.
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