Death due to accidental cave in at Palo Duro Canyon.

Greg's death and accident was on the front page of the Amarillo Globe News November 28, 1976.

A letter from Greg's Aunt describes his accident.

I talked with Ed Porter who is with the Potter County Sheriff's Department. Potter County's helicopter was sent to Palo Duro to get Greg's body. He drew a diagram and said it is a perfect camping spot. It was at the end of the canyon, and fifty feet from the canyon wall. Regardless of how cold the temperature might be, it would never get cold enough in there to harm anyone. They took a Randall County photographer back Monday. They brought Greg's pack out, but said there was no way of getting his sleeping bag from under the portion of the boulder that broke off. Porter said there is no way of knowing how far into the ground that the boulder (they were camping under) extended, it was so huge.

Greg went to Palo Duro on Thursday, the twenty fifth, and Mike Fitzmaurice joined him on Friday. Mike talked with Arlie once and came out to Laura's one day last week to talk with them. He and Greg went into one cave, but for some reason it was weird and they couldn't get out fast enough. Then went to this location. Greg had camped there on other occasions. They had enjoyed their camping. However, Mike said he believes Greg felt that something was going to happen.

They were cooking their breakfast. They were planning to leave for home since the blizzard type weather had blown in. It was about 12 degrees and blowing snow. It was around 10:00 A.M. They were both squatted on their heels. They heard the crack. Mike jumped to the side, but he said Greg never moved. Mike got his legs hurt, but not serious. Greg asked him to help him get out. With Greg's help Mike got him out. Greg was gone in such a few minutes. Mike worked with him for what seemed like an hour, then took his gear, worked his way back to the pickup and panel and went to the ranger station for help. He thought Greg might still be alive. He had been able to inhale, but unable to exhale. Porter told me they were sure he was dead by the time Mike got him out. It was 1:00 by the time they got the helicopter. There is a turn around at the end on the canyon. This spot was five miles following the canyon bed and three miles by the rugged terrain. It was about 5:00 when the Randall County Justice of the Peace called Laura. The autopsy showed the ribs were slivered and punctured all of his vital organs. The blow was on his right side. A report was that he was hit on the head. If he was, it Didn't cause his death, nor did it show. He looked so natural. Just as though he was asleep.