Zoo employee dies after fall in giraffe enclosure in west Michigan

A zoo employee died over the weekend after he fell from a ladder in a giraffe enclosure at a west Michigan park in April, the park announced Thursday.

The Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park, a family-owned and operated agri-tourism business, said on its Facebook page the employee, identified as Tyler, died Saturday after he fell from a 6-foot ladder while working in a giraffe enclosure at the park. The park is at 7850 14 Mile Road NE in Cedar Springs, about 22 miles northeast of Grand Rapids.

He was identified as Tyler Powell, 27, in a Wood-TV 8 report.

"Thank you all for your unceasing prayers over the past few weeks for our family. It has been humbling seeing all your comments and messages of prayer for Tyler and our family," park officials said in a post on Facebook. "... Our hearts are heavy, but we are so grateful that he is at peace and healed in his perfect body in heaven."

"We appreciate the patience and grace you've shown us during this time. We are still working hard to move forward with opening by the end of this month. Thank you to everyone who has come to help us on the farm during this incredibly difficult time."

In an earlier post, the park said Tyler and his dad, Kelly, were working in the giraffe enclosure on April 19 when the fall occurred.

"The giraffe had been safely shifted to an empty enclosure prior to them entering," the park said. "Tyler used a 6ft ladder to assist him in securing a 2x4. Kelly had turned away for a second and heard a loud noise. He turned around to see Tyler falling and he tried to catch him. As any parent knows, the fact that he failed to catch him and Tyler fell to the cement is a haunting memory."

Tyler was hospitalized at Corewell Hospital in the ICU with traumatic brain injury, park officials said.

Bonnie Beckwith, the park's business development manager, organized a GoFundMe and requested prayers for Tyler's family.

"Tyler, who is a son, father, husband, and a critical component to Deer Tracks Junction, had an accident on Friday, April 19th. He is in critical condition in the ICU with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)," Beckwith said.

By Thursday evening, Beckwith's GoFundMe campaign had raised just over $7,300.

The Kent County Sheriff's Office, reached late Thursday, declined to provide information about the incident, saying the office's public information officer had not issued a news release.

The park remains closed for the season and opens around Memorial Day weekend, the website said. "(An) exact date will be posted closer to open," it said.

The park is fully licensed and accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture, state Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, according to its website.

jaimery@detroitnews.com