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Hiker Falls To Death After Attempting To Take Picture Of Scenic View

AJO, ARIZONA - MAY 10: Scott Warren, a volunteer for the humanitarian aid organization No More Deaths walks into the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument to deliver food and water along remote desert trails used by undocumented immigrants on May 10, 2019 near Ajo, Arizona. The number of immigrant deaths, mostly due to dehydration and exposure, has risen as higher border security in urban border areas has pushed immigrant crossing routes into more remote regions. Warren is scheduled to appear in federal court on May 29 in Tucson, charged by the U.S. government on two counts of harboring and one count of conspiracy for aiding two Central American immigrants in January, 2018. If found guilty Warren could face up to 20 years in prison. The trial is seen as a watershed case by the Trump Administration, as it pressures humanitarian organizations working to reduce suffering and deaths of immigrants along the border. The government says the aid encourages human smuggling. In a separate misdemeanor case, federal prosecutors have charged Warren with abandonment of property, for distributing food and water along migrant trails. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Kevin Harness Contributor
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A hiker fell to his death Monday after he attempted to take a picture of a scenic view from a mountain peak in Phoenix, Arizona.

The hiker, who was identified as Richard Jacobson, 21, was hiking and camping with a friend at Flatiron Peak at Lost Dutchman State Park where the incident reportedly had taken place, Fox 10 Phoenix reported. (RELATED: Hiker Falls 500 Feet To His Death After His Partner Tried To Save Him)

The incident occurred after midnight when the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) received a 911 call from Jacobson’s friend who reported that Jacobson was trying to take picture before he slipped and fell, according to Fox 10 Phoenix.

Jacobson’s remains were discovered on the hiking trail 700 feet below where he initially fell. His remains were recovered and his friend was airlifted off the mountain, according to the outlet.

“He slipped and fell,” PCSO Sgt. Doug Peoble said, Fox 10 Phoenix reported. “I can tell you that during our investigation, there no signs of foul play. No signs of drug use whatsoever. It was just a very tragic accident.”

Paul Blanco, who was a childhood friend of Jacobson’s, claimed he was in disbelief when he heard the news about his friend’s death. The two often went hiking at Flatiron Peak, he said. Jacobson was passionate about his faith and was involved in missions work in Utah and Washington, Blanco told ABC 15.

Another friend of Jacobson’s, Andrew Thomas did missionary work with him. “I spent all my waking hours with Richard, so I got to know him pretty well… he was an outdoorsman, hunter, hiker. He did stuff like that, so I guess he did die doing what he loved to do, just in a tragic way,” Thomas said, according to Arizona’s Family.