Florida state senator's husband, 72, dies after falling into huge canyon in Utah mountain range while out hiking with his wife

The husband of the president of the Florida Senate died on Wednesday after falling at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.

Kathleen Passidomo, 70, and her husband, John Passidomo, 72, were hiking Monday, when he tumbled and sustained 'massive trauma to his head, among other very serious injuries,' according to a statement from the state Senate.

'Fellow hikers on the trail' were the the first to reach the couple before an ambulance arrived to rush him to hospital.

He was then flown to a regional trauma center in St. George, Utah, where he was evaluated by 'the very best medical teams.'

After a 24-hour examination, the doctors informed Passidomo that her husband would not survive. 

Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (left), 70, and her husband, John Passidomo (right), 72, were out for a hike Monday, when he suffered 'massive trauma to his head'

The accident occurred at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah (pictured)

On Wednesday afternoon, surrounded by his wife and three daughters, Passidomo passed away at 3:21 pm EDT.

The statement said the couple were 'law school sweethearts.'

The Passidomos, originally from New Jersey, met at Stetson University Law School in Gulfport. 

The president and the first gentleman were 'looking forward to celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary in September.'

The Passidomos were in Utah to visit several national parks, and the trip was just one of 'many great adventures they shared during their five decades together.'

Passidomo and her husband's final days together, the statement said, were marked 'by many special moments, beautiful scenery, and wonderful reflections on their lifetime together.'

The couple discussed their 'plans to live out their golden years watching their grandchildren grow up.'

The statement said that the 'President has lost the love of her life, and is absolutely devastated by this sudden and unexpected accident.' 

John Passidomo's sudden passing elicited an outpouring of grief from elected officials.

Writing in a post on X.com, formerly Twitter, Florida Governor Ron Desantis said that John Passidomo 'was a good man.'

Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson also took to X.com to voice her condolences. 

'The state of Utah offers our sincere condolences to Pres. Passidomo, her family, and those in the state of Florida who are dealing with the shock of this terrible news.'

Like his wife, John Passidomo made a foray into politics. Mr. Passidomo was a city council member and vice mayor of Naples, Florida, from 1990-92.

Mr. Passidomo (far left) had a stint in elected office. He was a city council member and vice mayor of Naples, Florida, from 1990-92

The Passidomos were originally from New Jersey. They met in law school and were coming up on their 45th wedding anniversary

Passidomo was originally elected to the Florida House in 2010, and then was elected to the Senate, becoming its president for the 2022-24 term.

In the Florida Senate's statement, Passidomo expressed her gratitude to the National Park Service, Garfield County first responders and Bryce Canyon National Park staff.

She also thanked their fellow hikers on the trail, who were the first to reach them, and by whose quick action, they preserved John Passidomo's life long enough so that he could say goodbye to family members. 

The heroic efforts of the fellow hikers also made organ donation possible.

The statement said that Mr. Passidomo was 'very fit and active, with overall excellent health at age 72.'

It continues: 'He was listed as an organ donor, and the President wanted to honor those wishes.'

There were matches for 'several of the First Gentleman's organs.'

President Kathleen Passidomo and her family are 'taking comfort in the fact their great loss has resulted in a life-saving gift for other families.'