We are grateful that Judge Jenkins honored Essie's life and legacy with this award," Littlepage said in a statement to PEOPLE. Capitol Reef National Park - 238 miles. Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. "Essie was a remarkable humanitarian and champion for women and girls. Nakajjigo was a humanitarian who had won numerous awards and recognition for her work. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. First published on December 6, 2022 / 9:23 AM. View of the Delicate Arch at sunset in the Arches National Park near Moab, Utah on April 21, 2018. 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 crash at the entrance to Arches National Park that claimed the life of his beloved wife, Esther Nakajjigo. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Her Intense sunlight, low humidity, and open desert with a lack of shade all compound these temperatures to make them potentially deadly to visitors. A third Californian, a 30-year-old man, also fell and was injured. Of the accidents aftermath, Michaud told FOX 13: I saw the worst thing I hope I will ever see.. 1 / 9. She received multiple honors for her humanitarian work and was attending a leadership program in Bolder, Colorado, at the time of her death. The couple hiked to Delicate Arch and ate lunch in the Windows area before starting their drive out of the park. 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. The womans family alleges the park was negligent in not locking down the gate that rammed through her car. Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, White supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes kicked out of CPAC, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Biden team readies new advisory panel ahead of expected reelection bid, House Democrats unhappy with White House handling of D.C.'s new criminal code, Vast majority of U.S. homes are unaffordable to the average buyer. In June, the couple needed a break from quarantine, so they drove to Utah. They headed to Arches National Park as soon as the park reopened in June, eager for an adventure. Esther "Essie" Nakajjigo's husband Ludovic Michaud will receive $9.5 million while her mother Christine Namagembe will receive $700,000, according to the judgment filed in federal court. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Tuxedo cat named Augustus Gloop is up for adoption, Utah BASE jumper slams into side of mountain. 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 In Sequoia National Park, the highlight is seeing the massive redwood trees, some of which may be up to 2,000 Ludovic said he knows the suit won't bring his beloved wife back, but he wants to make sure the same type of tragic accident doesn't happen to anyone else. 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. He noted she had recently worked as a host at a restaurant around the time of her death and didn't have a Bachelor's degree. Didn't even get to touch lava." Another one of Utahs stunning national parks is Arches National Park. This verdict, though the largest by a federal judge in Utah history, cannot replace the immeasurable loss suffered by her husband and family. Opening statements previewed how the trial will hinge less on varying accounts of the accident and instead focus on Nakajiigo's biography and earning potential, which is used to calculate a portion of the damages. 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. "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. 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. Ludovic Michaud and his new wife, Esther Nakajjigo, were driving aroundArches National Parkon a windy spring day in 2020 when a metal gate whipped around, sliced through the passenger door of his car and decapitated Nakajjigo. The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Ugandas Young Personality of the Year.. TOLERABLE TEMPS While winter is the best time to visit for cool temps, early spring temperatures range between lows in the 50s and highs in the 90s. RELATED: Utah teen dies after falling 150 feet while climbing near cliff, police say. She said entrance gates should be locked into place whether they are open or closed. Prosecuting attorney Randi McGinn described the death in gruesome detail and said if Nakajjigos life had not been cut short, she would have gone on to become a non-profit CEO who could eventually have netted an annual income in the hundreds of thousands of dollars or millions. "I went from the best time of my life to the worst, in one second," he said. The suit was filed last week in federal court in Denver by the widower and parents of Nakajjigo. Things to do in Zion. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you with its 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. Part of HuffPost Environment. Michaud and his in-laws previously filed a claim with the National Park Service a step toward filing the lawsuit asking for $270 million. 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. 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. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Nakajjigo was a performer who used her celebrity to improve the status of women and girls in Uganda. On February 24, park witnesses saw the 71-year-old male collapsing to the ground and becoming unresponsive, Arches (ARCH) officials report.That afternoon, emergency personnel would respond from Classic "Paid $20 to get in. This story has been shared 167,214 times. Essie's father John Bocso Kateregga will receive $350,000. Death Valley National Park, California-Nevada It's a place of extremes: Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest places on earth, it's also one of the darkest. 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. Nakajjigo accomplished more by age 25 than most people do in a lifetime. The couple had been married about three months. A man has died after collapsing to the ground while hiking in Arches National Park. 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. WebArches National Park and Death Valley National Park are both home to a variety of unique and diverse wildlife. Grand Canyon National Park is divided into 4 major areas: The South Rim, North Rim, Grand Canyon East, and West Grand Canyon. Delicate Arch is one of the three main arches featured on Utah license plates. Her case was labeled a homicide, with Laundrie being the sole suspect. "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.". She was also the brains behind two reality TV shows that aimed to empower young mothers and encourage girls to stay in school. WebEstimated Distance from nearby National Park. It worked. Shelly Bradbury is the courts reporter at the Denver Post. 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. She also said it should have been installed to swing inwards for incoming traffic, not outwards. Sadly, deaths are not uncommon in the park. Wake up to the day's most important news. The others are Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Canyonlands National Park. Please enter valid email address to continue. Photo: Getty Images. Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 5:30am by Lolo. 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. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The Associated Press 2:50 PM MST on Jan 31, 2023 SALT LAKE CITY The United States will pay family members of a Ugandan human rights activist killed in an accident at Arches National Park more than $10 million in damages, a It might fall over in the future. In November, Petito's family filed $50 million lawsuit against the Moab Police Department 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. 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. On February 24, park witnesses saw the 71-year-old male collapsing to the ground and becomingunresponsive, Arches (ARCH) officials report. The suit does not specify the amount the plaintiffs are seeking, though it accuses park staff of negligence. Staying with companions while hiking allows for emergency aid contact, as was the case in this mans tragic death. The Late 'Rust' Cinematographer's Family, Life and Career, Jen Shah Fraud Case: U.S. Government Requests to Sentence 'RHOSLC' Star to 10 Years in Prison, Gabby Petito's Family Wins $3 Million from Brian Laundrie's Estate In Wrongful Death Suit, Fact-Checking the George Santos Claims: From Goldman Sachs Employee to College 'Volleyball Star', Jen Shah's Victim Impact Letters Detail 'Everyday Struggle' After Fraud Scheme 'Turned Our Lives Upside Down'. / CBS/AP. In fact it is the hottest and driest place on earth period. WebA $270 million wrongful death administrative claim was reportedly filed against Arches National Park after a 25-year-old human rights activist from Uganda was killed at the But on June 13, she and her husband needed a break from quarantine and headed toward Arches National Park in Utah. Additionally, The Utah Office of the Medical Examiner will analyze the mans body due to the sudden, unexpected and unknown manner of his death, local 2KUTV reports. Ludovic's attorney, Deborah Chang, told Denver7 the entrance gate should have been locked open, and not allowed to swing freely. "I've always wanted to meet him, though not in this way," he said. Zoe Littlepage, a lead attorney on the case, told The Salt Lake Tribune, that "on behalf of the family, we are very appreciative of the judge's attention to detail, the time he spent working on this, and for the value he put on the loss to this family of Essie.". Other covers in the series include Arches, Death Valley, Denali, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, and more. UT; National Park; 23 miles and 0.5 hours from our last stop - 1 night stay. One area visitor responding to the Facebook post by the sheriff said there were extremely strong winds near the arch. 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. Attorney: 'For want of an $8 padlock, woman lost life'. 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.". On February 24, park witnesses saw the 71-year-old male collapsing to the ground and becoming unresponsive, Arches (ARCH) officials report.That afternoon, emergency personnel would respond from Classic "For how majestic these parks are, it's kind of shocking how rudimentary these gates are," she said. Attorneys for the family of a Ugandan activist killed by a swinging metal gate at Arches National Park in Utah are seeking $140 million in damages in a wrongful Nakajjigo was a Ugandan singer and actress who reportedly did charity work. WebHere are some of the highlights of my countless trips to the three National Parks (Banff, Jasper and Yoho) in the Canadian Rockies. Its known for a series of sculpture-like fins and arches made of an orange sandstone that wind and water have eroded for centuries. @ArielleHarrison https://t.co/YoCT50YObz. Below, youll find general hiking safety for the park that greatly increases the safety of your trip: In all national parks, the buddy system will always be the best way to ensure a safe visit. What awaited them there was as awful as it was unthinkable. According to the Grand County Sheriffs Department, the 71-year-old from Massachusetts was out hiking with his wife and son when the tragic incident occurred. I want to see hotel recommendations when using Rome2rio The lawsuit alleges that a simple $8 padlock could have prevented the gate from swinging, and claims the park violated regulations, CBS Colorado reported. December 6, 2022 / 9:23 AM Join. On February 24, park witnesses The incident will remain under investigation by the Grand County Sheriffs Office as well as the National Park Service, the outlet cites. An unidentified 60-year-old woman and Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. WebArches National Park has a busy search and rescue operation. I dont want this incident to reproduce itself ever again.. 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. This story has been shared 152,729 times. They said claims by the family's lawyers that Nakajjigo, who was 25 at the time of her death, was on track to be a nonprofit CEO shortly were too speculative to be used as a basis for damages. Trial begins over death of Ugandan woman killed at Arches National Park. WebFactors that make Arches National Park sensitive to visitor damage include being a semiarid region, the scarce, unpredictable rainfall, lack of deep freezing, and lack of plant litter, which results in soils that have both a low resistance to and slow recovery from, compressional forces such as foot traffic. In the court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Denver, Chang described the gates as the same color as the landscape. ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, Utah - An investigation is underway after a hiker collapsed and later died at Arches National Park in Utah.. Park rangers said the He ultimately took his own life at a nearby environmental park. We've received your submission. WebHere are some of the highlights of my countless trips to the three National Parks (Banff, Jasper and Yoho) in the Canadian Rockies. Death Valley National Park - 366 miles. Park rangers said the incident happened Friday when the 71-year-old man from Massachusetts was with his wife and son. Doesn't look anything like the license plate." 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. McGinn said if her life hadn't been cut short that Nakajjigo's trajectory suggested she would have gone on to become a nonprofit CEO who could eventually have netted an annual income in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even millions. First responders from several agencies, including the National Park Service and the sheriffs department, arrived on the scene and attempted to perform CPR, but they could not prevent the mans untimely death. At Arches, you can expect to see animals such as bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, and a variety of bird species such as golden eagles and peregrine falcons. Read more Print length 56 pages Language English Publication date February 22, 2023 Dimensions 4 x 0.13 x 6 inches See all details Product details ASIN : B0BW2HRDBL Two tourists fell to their death while hiking in a popular area of Utahs Arches National Park on Friday, authorities said. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. (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. She had like a tremendous potential, Michaud told the TV station of his late wife. 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. Death Valley National Park in California might be one of the most underrated parks in the country. The family of a women's rights activist from Uganda sued the National Park Service in June 2021 after she was decapitated the previous year by a gate at Utah's Arches National Stars of 'Tiger King' : Where Are They Now? Stay safe out there, Outsiders. The United States will pay more than $10 million in damages Two California visitors fell to their deaths while hiking to the Delicate Arch sandstone formation in Arches National Park. "It could have happened to the people in front of us, or behind us," he said. 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. The mild temperatures, stunning desert landscapes, and lack of crowds make it an ideal place for peaceful winter camping. Unseasonably warm temperatures can take hold of the desert any time of year. 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. 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. Liability is the exception rather than the rule, Kozlowski said. The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. Michaud, in February, told FOX 13 about the trip to the park. 1. Other covers in the series include Arches, Death Valley, Denali, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico, House where JonBent Ramsey was found dead on sale for nearly $7 million. Arches National Park is open 24 hours a day year-round, regardless of the weather. In order to stay healthy in this climate, it is best toavoid hiking in the middle of the day in Arches. Find the travel option that best suits you. Apparently when Disneyland says no selfies, they mean it - even if you're a celebrity! A woman stands beneath Double Arch in Arches National Park near Moab in Utah. Read More FILE Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. We asked the Park Service about the swing gates and were told that both sides are now padlocked when in the "open" position. FOX 13 reported earlier this year how Nakajjigo died June 13, 2020. This incident happened June 13 just before 2 p.m. as the couple were leaving the park, according to the claim. "I turned my head and saw what I wish I didn't see.". 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. The victim was transported to the Grand County Medical Examiners Office to determine a cause of death. A third man who fell was airlifted to a local hospital in Moab. 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. That unique landscape at Badwater Basin occurs because of its distance below sea level at -282 ft. 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. They went on a hike and had a picnic, and were driving to get ice cream when the gate swung into their path. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. CPR was performed on the individual on site. She reportedly moved to Colorado for a social entrepreneurship program at the Watson Institute in Boulder. 3. r/JoshuaTree. Deputies of the Grand County Sheriff's Office reported that a 71 year old A family hike in Arches National Park ended in tragedy as a Massachusetts father collapsed while exploring with his wife and son. This story was reported from Los Angeles. She was one in a billion, Your Honor, attorney Randi McGinn told the judge, according to FOX 13 Salt Lake City. "I don't want anyone or any other family to go through what we've been through," Michaud told CBS affiliate KUTV. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. He was airlifted to Moab Regional Hospital. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. Photo courtesy Grand County Sheriff's Office. Attorney Randi McGinn, representing Nakajjigo's family, on Monday described the death in gruesome detail. 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. Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. A man has died after collapsing to the ground while hiking in Arches National Park. For more on the parks HEAT KILLS safety program, see our full Arches National Park Safety breakdown here. The gate reportedly smashed through the side of the car and struck Nakajjigo in the neck, killing her. Thanks for contacting us. "Delicate arch looks like it might fall over at any time. Michaud and Nakajjigo had been married for just under three months when they decided to go see the Arches. Fourteen people died in North Cascades in those 15 years, when an average of just over 25,000 Here are our favorites. While most people have heard of Yosemite and Joshua Where is the National Park Visitor Center? Laundrie reportedly confessed to killing Petito in a notebook found near his partial remains. Zion National Park - 196 miles. A National Park Service spokeswoman declined to comment on the lawsuit Monday. His body was transferred to the Grand County Medical Examiners Office. At this time, I do not have more information to share.". See details. Denver7's Lance Hernandez reports. WebDeath Valley is known for its austere, barren, Mars-like terrain, but for a few weeks in the spring, this desolate National Park transforms into a colorful wildflower-studded garden. 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. 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 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Rangers warned visitors in a tweet to proceed with caution. Its a 3-mile-long, 480-foot climb from the closest parking to see the arch up close. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. DENVER (CBS4) - The family of a Denver woman has filed a $270 million wrongful death claim against Arches National Park after she was killed there over the Aptly named for the many red rock formations that look like arches within the park, Delicate Arch is one of the most famous. 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. According to park officials, staff located the deceased female in the Devils Garden Area around 6:45 p.m. Paramore apologizes to The weather was inclement and conditions were slippery following rain and snow. Yosemite, and Death Valley. While most people have heard of Yosemite and Joshua Tree, this California park doesnt get enough recognition for its beauty. WebGRAND COUNTY, Utah A trial is underway after a woman was decapitated at Arches National Park. Higgins did not immediately return PEOPLE's request for comment. Nakajjigo gained national notoriety in Uganda and created a reality TV show that helped child mothers stay in school and develop life skills, according to the claim.