The body of an Arizona man visiting Juneau, Alaska, for the summer, was found dead from injuries sustained during a fall, according to officials.

Thomas Casey, 69, was last seen on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 30 and Alaska State Troopers were made aware that he was overdue to return from his hike on Sunday, Aug. 31, according to a news bulletin posted to the Alaska Department of Public Safety's website.

Casey had not provided details about where he was going or when he would return, but his phone was pinged, which led troops to a remote location between two hiking trails, the Thunder Mountain Trail and Nugget Creek Trail, that run for miles into the Alaskan wilderness.

Authorities deployed six crews of ground searchers and dog teams to look for Casey.

Casey's body was later found at around 5 p.m. local time on Monday, Sept. 1, near Mendenhall Glacier, located in Tongass National Forest, 12 miles northwest of Juneau, the state's capital. He was found with injuries officials believe he sustained from a fall.

Casey's body is being sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office, according to the bulletin.

Where is Mendenhall Glacier?

Mendenhall Glacier is located in Juneau, Alaska, the state's capital, in Tongass National Forest, about 12 miles northwest of downtown Juneau. The glacier is one of 12 in the national forest with hiking trails nearby.

The glacier is a half-mile wide and 1,800 feet deep, according to Travel Juneau. It is the most popular destination in the capital.

Hiking safety tips

It is recommended that hikers share a trip plan with someone staying behind.

The plan should include the following details, according to the National Park Service:

  • Where will the walk or hike take place
  • Hikers' contact information
  • The time hikers are expected to arrive and return from their outing
  • The names of people who plan to go hiking

Once on the hike, have an emergency plan in case someone gets lost or injured.

Hikers should also ensure they have multiple means of communication, such as a personal locator beacon, in case they need assistance, according to the NPS. If you're relying on a cell phone, make sure to keep it in airplane mode and only use it when necessary.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona man found dead in Alaskan national forest after fall, officials say

Reporting by Julia Gomez and Laura Gersony, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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