David Crook, age 21, from Salt Lake City, Utah, was discovered to be not breathing and unresponsive when his roommate returned to their dorm room and attempted to wake him up at approximately 10:45 a.m. today, May 24. Other employees attempted to administer CPR, and called 911.
The National Park Service was notified by Fairbanks 911 Dispatch at 10:48 a.m., and ranger-medics were on scene at the Northern Lights dorm at 10:58 a.m. Upon their initial assessment they determined that Crook had been deceased for some time, and no additional life saving measures were attempted.
Crook was last seen by friends in the early morning hours. There is no indication of foul play or suicide though rangers continue to investigate. Crook’s remains will be released to the Office of the State Medical Examiner for additional testing.
Crook was a first-year employee of Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture, Denali National Park and Preserve’s largest concessioner. Crook worked in the Wilderness Access Center, which serves as the transportation and campground reservation hub of the park.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
