Arizona News July 17, 2009

"Park officials on Friday identified the body a man who drove a car over the edge of the Grand Canyon earlier this week.

Gheorghe Chiriac, 57, of Apple Valley, Calif., emigrated to the United States about 30 years ago, according to the National Park Service. His death was ruled a suicide.

At about 6 a.m. Monday, officials received reports that a car had driven over the edge of the canyon near the El Tovar Hotel.

Park rangers found tire tracks indicating the car was driven up onto the curb of a loading area between hotel and and Kachina Lodge. The tracks showed that the car then veered left, traveling through the grass behind the lodge until it reached the Thunderbird Lodge. It veered right and into the canyon.

Because the car traveled a long distance from the roadway, there was no wall or barrier where it went over the edge, officials said.

Rescue personnel descended on ropes and located the vehicle approximately 600 feet below the rim. Chiriac's body was located shortly thereafter."


A few of the comments made by readers of the East Valley Tribune:

"While Im not insensitive to the mans apparent distraught mental state - It sure sucks he "molested " the Canyon with metal and broken glass and used such a large amount of manpower and resources in his very personal decision.
that had to be a major pain in the butt."

"I wonder if he was able to get one last cellphone call or perhaps even a text off to someone on his way down!!! RIP!!!"

"Sounds to me like he was looking for some attention in his suicide. Driving off the Grand Canyon? wow. And think of all the resources and money this cost the state of Arizona (you and me) to get this idiot and his car out of our canyon."

"Why not make it easy for people who want to off themselves at the Grand Canyon. Put a diving board on the edge."

Regarding the comments by readers of the news article- there are no words to describe the idiots in this world. This is insensitivity at the lowest of levels. It angers me and makes me so sad at the same time. I can guarantee that none of these people have experienced depression. I usually wouldn't wish the illness on anyone...but this time I think I will make an exception.