Climber, 40, falls 200ft to his death during canyoneering outing with three friends through Zion National Park

A climber has died after falling 200ft while canyoneering in Zion National Park with three friends. 

The 40-year-old man, whose identity has not been released, was traversing Heaps Canyon, near the the Upper Emerald Pool in southwest Utah, on Saturday evening when he fell to his death. 

It is understood that the group were following their permitted route through the long and physically demanding canyon - which the park service has described in the past as a strenuous and technical canyon - when the incident occurred. 

While the National Park Service confirmed on Sunday the death is being treated as an accident, Zion National Park and the Washington County Sheriffs Office are still investigating the exact cause of the mans death. 

After receiving a report of the fall, more than 50 rescuers scrambled to the scene. 

A climber has died after falling  200ft while canyoneering in Zion National Park with three friends (stock image) 

After receiving a report of the fall, more than 50 rescuers scrambled to the area. The man was airlifted out of the canyon but was tragically pronounced dead before he could be taken to hospital (stock image) 

The 40-year-old man, whose identity has not been released, was traversing Heaps Canyon, near the the Upper Emerald Pool in southwest Utah , on Saturday evening when he fell to his death

Zions search and rescue team arrived on site with officers from the sheriffs department and tried to save the man´s life. 

He was then airlifted by helicopter to the Watchman Campground area of the national park where he could receive medical attention. 

Tragically he was pronounced dead before he could be airlifted to a hospital, park officials said.

Two of the three other canyoneers were extracted from the park on Sunday. Zion´s search and rescue team helped the third person rappel down the canyon to safety that afternoon. 

Zion National Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh said: Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time.

Heaps Canyon is one of the most physically demanding hikes in Zion National Park and typically takes 12 to 20 hours to complete. 

In 2015, 24-year-old Brian Artmann died after he fell nearly 100ft while trying to traverse the canyon. 

Due to the remoteness of the area, his companions were unable to get fully out of the canyon and notify the park until almost 11:30 pm local time.