Third hiker dies in Grand Canyon in 3 weeks amid blistering temperatures of 120 degrees in shade

A third death has been confirmed in the Grand Canyon in just three weeks as a deadly heatwave sweeps across the Southwest, causing temperatures in the national park to soar to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, even in the shade — the temperature of some ovens.

The 50-year-old San Angelo, Texas , man was found unresponsive just 100 feet below the Bright Angel Trailhead. He had reportedly been attempting to hike to the top of the canyon after an overnight stay at the Havasupai Gardens, a campground in the national park.

The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center reportedly received a report of an unresponsive hiker on the trail at around 2 p.m. local time. Bystanders and then members of the Xanterra Fire and Security and National Park Service medical personnel attempted to revive the man with CPR and other methods, but nothing worked — he was pronounced dead.

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The National Park Service is investigating the incident alongside the Coconino County Medical Examiner, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. But excessive heat warnings remained in effect in the area through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, the National Weather Service revealed.

Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., record-breaking temperatures are possible, according to the NWS, with the Review-Journal reporting that South Rim high temperatures are slated to reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

The publication wrote that the Grand Canyon can be deceiving, since the South Rim, where it said about 90% of all visitors go, can be 20 degrees cooler than the bottom as the publication added that the Phantom Ranch, which is located along the Colorado River, can reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months.

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The unidentified 50-year-old's death was the third in recent weeks, it was reported. A 41-year-old man was found unresponsive on the Bright Agnel Trail on June 16 in a very similar incident. He was found unresponsive, and attempts to resuscitate him were ultimately unsuccessful, and he had also been hiking back from an overnight stay.

About two weeks later, on July 1, a 69-year-old hiker was found semi-responsive, it was reported, then became unresponsive near the River Trail in the Grand Canyon. He later became unresponsive, and attempts by both bystanders and National Park Service personnel to resuscitate him were also unsuccessful.

That hiker was identified as Scott Sims of Austin, Texas, and he was reportedly attempting to reach Phantom Ranch. ABC News reported that the National Park Service said temperatures are expected to soar to over 120 degrees Fahrenheit, even in the shade, next week and that hikers should avoid hiking in the inner canyon between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The NPS also told the publication that rescue efforts can be delayed during summer months because of limited staffing, the number of rescue calls and safety requirements for employees as there's also limited helicopter flying capability when extreme heat and other inclement weather is present.