Bryce Canyon National Park ranger dies in work-related accident

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Utah – Bryce Canyon National Park ranger Tom Lorig, 78, died on Friday, June 7, as a result of an industrial accident in which he was injured.

According to a park press release, Lorig was working with park visitors at the annual astronomy festival when he tripped and fell, hitting his head on a rock. A visitor notified a police ranger after finding Lorig unresponsive, and national park rangers, medically trained passersby and local emergency responders provided life-saving aid.

“Tom Lorig served Bryce Canyon, the National Park Service, and the public as a park ranger, forging connections between the world and these special places he loved. As our community processes and mourns this terrible loss, we extend our deepest condolences to Ranger Lorig’s family and friends. We also want to thank the National Park Service and Garfield County emergency responders who responded, as well as bystanders who assisted NPS first responders.” – Park Supervisor Jim Ireland

Ranger Tom Lorig has worked in a total of 14 national parks, including Badlands, Bryce Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, El Malpais, Florissant Fossil Beds, Glen Canyon, Klondike Gold Rush, Mount Rainier, New River Gorge, Olympic, Saguaro, Yosemite, Zion and Dinosaur National Monument. He began working for the National Park Service in 1968 at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. He also worked as a nurse in the Seattle, Washington area for 40 years.

At this time, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Ranger Tom Lorig.