Family Files Lawsuit After Man Dies from Heat Stress at Grand Canyon

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A crowded bus left stranded in extreme heat raises concerns over tourist safety and negligence.

News Summary

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in Nevada after Jeffery Volkar, 66, died from heat stress while on a tour of the Grand Canyon. The lawsuit blames several companies and a bus driver for negligence, citing inadequate conditions on a broken-down bus where Volkar and other passengers were trapped for over three hours. Reports indicate a growing concern over heat-related incidents, especially as climate change exacerbates extreme weather, with the lawsuit shedding light on safety protocols in tourist operations.

Las Vegas, NV – A 66-year-old man, Jeffery Volkar, tragically died from heat stress while on a family trip to the Grand Canyon, leading to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by his family in Clark County District Court. The lawsuit targets Canyon Tours, Gray Line Las Vegas, American Transportation Systems, and a bus driver for their alleged negligence during the tour.

Volkar was one of 38 passengers trapped in a broken-down, non-air-conditioned bus for more than three hours on a day when heat conditions were severe. The bus reportedly had poor ventilation, and passengers were provided with no access to shade or critical instructions on managing heat-related emergencies. According to the family, Volkar’s conditions on the bus were “intolerable,” contributing to his hyperthermia, which was confirmed by a death investigation conducted by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Although a spokesperson from the Department declined to confirm the cause of death, it was noted that hyperthermia occurs when the body temperature rises to dangerously high levels.

The lawsuit alleges that the defendants failed to properly inspect the bus before the trip, did not dispatch a replacement vehicle in a timely manner, and neglected to provide necessary guidance regarding heat-related health risks. Reports suggest that the tour leaders lacked a contingency plan and were not aware of the appropriate procedures to handle heat emergencies, which compounded the risk faced by the passengers.

In 2023, Arizona recorded 990 heat-related deaths, highlighting a growing concern regarding extreme heat in the region as climate change intensifies. Among these, 660 of the cases directly attributed heat as the primary cause of death. Meanwhile, Southern Nevada has witnessed an increase in heat-related fatalities, with 309 deaths reported in 2023 and the numbers escalating to 527 in 2024. In the early months of 2024, the Las Vegas area has already encountered three heat-related deaths.

Experts believe that heat-related deaths are significantly underreported across the country, and the situation may worsen with ongoing climate change, putting more individuals at risk. The lawsuit filed by Volkar’s family is one of three recent wrongful death suits in Southern Nevada that highlight negligence concerning heat-related incidents. In another case, a Las Vegas hospital is being sued for allegedly improperly discharging a woman experiencing alcohol withdrawal, which subsequently led to her heat-related death. Additionally, a separate lawsuit is targeting the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority for neglecting to repair an 82-year-old woman’s air conditioning unit, which contributed to her demise during extreme heat.

As of the latest updates, the defendants in Volkar’s lawsuit have not yet responded to the initial complaint. The legal repercussions of these incidents could lead to increased scrutiny over the safety measures adopted by tour companies and the responsibilities they hold to protect passengers from extreme heat risks.

The ongoing trials and lawsuits are a critical reminder of the importance of preparedness and adequate response plans in situations of extreme heat, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly. As climate patterns continue to shift, the frequency and severity of heat-related incidents are expected to rise, making it essential for both businesses and government entities to implement preventive measures and properly educate the public about the dangers of high temperatures.