"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." A 12-year-old tabby cat named "Mirage" has proven this adage true after surviving a harrowing fall alongside her owners at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.
On April 29, Mirage fell approximately 380 feet (about 115 meters) together with her owners, 45-year-old Matthew Nannen and 58-year-old Bailee Crane. The couple and their cat had been visiting the park's Inspiration Point when they apparently ignored warning signs and climbed over a safety railing, resulting in the tragic fall.
After being found near the scene inside a damaged black soft-sided pet carrier, Mirage was rushed to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary for treatment. Remarkably, the cat sustained only two broken teeth and a few fractured ribs. Blood tests revealed no serious internal injuries. Despite the intense pain, Mirage's vitality was strong; she quickly began eating and showed affectionate behavior, suggesting a full recovery is imminent.
Sadly, Matthew Nannen and Bailee Crane did not survive the fall and were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities believe the couple, originally from Florida, had been traveling in a camper van and had recently come from Arizona before visiting Utah. The exact circumstances of the accident remain under investigation.
The sanctuary hopes that relatives of Matthew will adopt Mirage; if not, they will seek a new loving home for the resilient feline.
Bryce Canyon National Park officials continue to emphasize the importance of adhering to safety barriers and warnings to prevent such tragic accidents in the future.
