Big South Fork |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-2025. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
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April 25, 1988 Location: Angel Falls E.H., an Israeli citizen and grad student in chemistry at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, Tennessee, was hiking with a friend on a trail near Angel Falls, a hazardous rapid on the Cumberland River. The two had discussed the possibility of swimming across the river, and E.H.'s companion last saw him standing on a rock by the edge of the river. Shortly thereafter, other visitors near Angel Falls saw E.H. being swept through the rapids, but were unable to reach him. The NPS, local rescue squads and a US Forest Service helicopter have been engaged in a search for him since Sunday afternoon. Divers have also been searching the river. Air and water temperatures have both hovered around 40 degrees, so the chances for his survival are thought to be remote.
On the morning of December 22nd, a magnetometer placed in Rock Shelter 187, an archeological site in the Peters Mountain area of the park, emitted an alarm over the park radio system, indicating that someone was excavating with metal tools at the site. Rangers arrived at the location shortly thereafter and caught three adults and a juvenile in the process of digging up the shelter. The three adults - T.R. and B.P. and J.P., all local residents of McCreary County - were arrested and charged with violations of the Archeological Resources Protection Act, destruction of government property and possession of marijuana. Their vehicle, which was impounded, was found to contain 37 blasting caps. The three were arraigned before a magistrate on December 23rd and released on their own recognizance. An archeological assessment of the site is being conducted by Tom DesJohn, an NPS archeologist assigned to Big South Fork. (Steve Smith, SERO).
On the afternoon of the 14th, rangers conducting a routine traffic stop discovered 40 pounds of marijuana valued at $100,000 in the vehicle. Two persons have been arrested. Details are to follow. (Telephone report by Steve Smith, RAD/SERO).
Early on the afternoon of Sunday, October 28th, R.A., 31, of Maryville, Tennessee, was bow-hunting in the park with friends (hunting is permitted in Big South Fork) when he became lost. Rangers were notified at 8 p.m., and initiated a hasty search two hours later. Since R.A. was not wearing a jacket and the temperature that night was in the 20's, there was a high degree of concern for his welfare. Several more rangers joined the searchers at 2 a.m. on the 29th. At daylight, they were joined by more searchers from the park and from the Daniel Boone National Forest, a search dog unit, and a contract helicopter. Just before 6 p.m., a ranger contacted R.A. on a park road. He was hungry and tired, but in reasonably good condition. R.A. said that he had spent the afternoon of the 28th unsuccessfully trying to find his way out of the forest, then had laid down by a river and slept all night. Shortly after he awoke, he came upon a park-owned cabin, started a fire and warmed himself up. Instead of waiting there to be found, he again struck out cross-country and had walked about 11 miles by late afternoon. He was about to bed down for a second night when he heard the ranger's car and contacted him. (Jerry Flood, DR, BISO, via telephone report from Steve Smith, RAD/SERO, 11/1).
During the period from July 22nd to August 2nd, the park employed personnel and two helicopters from the 101st Airborne Division to seek out marijuana cultivation sites in the park. The pilots were Desert Storm veterans and the spotters were rangers. A total of 72 patches containing 6,439 plants were discovered by the teams. Ground crews consisting of rangers, sheriff's deputies and a Forest Service officer removed the plants from the sites. The majority of the plants were found in the Kentucky section of the park, which is adjacent to Daniel Boone National Forest. Seven booby traps were found around the perimeter of one of the patches. No arrests were made, but a couple of patches were left untouched for future surveillance purposes. [Telefax from John Cannon, CR, BISO, 8/7]
Rangers recently concluded the second ground and aerial marijuana eradication operation to be conducted in the park this summer. During the August effort, rangers discovered and removed 1,390 sinsemilla plants. While flying a spotting mission on August 21st, observers in a fixed-wing aircraft from Cape Hatteras spotted a large garden just outside park boundaries in Scott County, Tennessee. Ground investigation by county deputies and rangers led to the discovery of nearly 7,000 mature sinsemilla plants. Eradication efforts were begun, and the park brought in portable generators and emergency lighting to assist with the removal effort, which continued into the early morning hours of the 22nd. [Telefax from John Cannon, CR, BISO, 8/26]
On the afternoon of March 19th, J.S., 32, and two companions were attempting to raft through Joe's Shoals on the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River when their 12-foot raft capsized. J.S.'s companions were able to make it to shore after both were carried almost three quarters of a mile downstream in the 45 degree water. J.S. was last seen below the shoals having difficulty remaining above water, and is presumed to have drowned. None of the men were wearing life preserves, and J.S. was dressed in heavy coveralls. The river was much higher and faster than normal due to recent heavy rains. The accident occurred just before dark, making search and rescue attempts difficult in the adverse river conditions. Rangers and members of the local rescue squad will continue search for J.S.'s body. [Telefax from John Cannon, CR, BISO, 3/20]
The body of J.S., 31, was recovered by a fisherman on the Big South Fork River on April 12th. J.S. disappeared on March 19th when his boat capsized. The park had employed divers, a dog from the Kentucky State Police, and a helicopter in a week-long search and drag in areas where the dog had alerted, but had been unsuccessful in its efforts to find him. J.S.'s body was found about a quarter mile from where he was last seen. [Telefax from John Cannon, CR, BISO, 4/14]
Rangers employing a fixed-wing aircraft from Cape Hatteras spotted numerous seed trays containing small marijuana plants in the park. They later drove to the site and found 1,025 plants in the seed trays and another 198 plants in two nearby gardens. All of these were eradicated. Seventeen other gardens have been located to date either in the park or near the park's boundary. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 6/17]
On June 29th, rangers, Forest Service officers and sheriff's deputies travelled to a site within the park to eradicate two small marijuana patches which had previously been spotted from the air by surveillance aircraft. Upon arrival, they found a trail system which led to numerous scattered marijuana plants, several small patches, and a nearby house. A woman at the house consented in writing and on videotape to a search of the premises. A small quantity of marijuana was found drying in the attic and in a closet, and marijuana seeds were found in several prescription pill containers. Three loaded weapons were also found and seized. A total of 390 plants were found in the immediate area, some visible from the back porch of the house. Rangers believe that the woman's husband is the grower. No arrests were made at the scene, but officers are working with the U.S. Attorney's Office on charges. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 6/30]
On July 4th, R.E., 24, was riding an inflatable toy raft on the Big South Fork River near the O&W bridge when R.E. and the raft went over a pillow rock and were pulled under water. The raft came up immediately; R.E. resurfaced once about 60 feet down river, then went under and was not seen again. The river was running high and very swiftly at the time due to recent heavy rains. Rangers and members of the local rescue squad responded but have not been able to find R.E.'s body. The search has been hampered by additional heavy rains and the very swift river flow. Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in R.E.'s death. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 7/6]
The body of R.E., 26, of Oneida, Tennessee, was recovered from the Big South Fork River on July 8th a short distance from where he was last seen. He was presumed to have drowned on July 4th when he was swept over a rapids on a small inflatable raft, but the investigation into the events surrounding his death has brought forth the possibility of foul play. An autopsy has been performed; results, however, have not yet been obtained. The park is investigating the incident in conjunction with the Scott County sheriff's office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 7/14]
During the week of July 13th, the park utilized a fixed-wing aircraft from Cape Hatteras to spot illicit marijuana cultivation sites for possible surveillance operations. A total of 21 plots containing unknown quantities of marijuana plants were located. The operation was shortened each day by thunderstorms. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 7/17]
Rangers and Forest Service officers began covert surveillance of several marijuana patches on Stephens Knob on August 3rd. On the morning of the 5th, two men carrying firearms walked into one of the patches but left for unknown reasons. A day later, the same two men - D.J., 50, and R.V., 45 - returned to the patch via a different route and were arrested by the team. R.V., who was carrying a loaded shotgun at the time, is a convicted felon and had been arrested previously by the Forest Service for timber theft and for manufacturing dangerous explosive devices. The patches contained 159 marijuana plants. It's uncertain whether the two were actually growing the marijuana or were coming to steal it from another grower. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 8/7]
Spotters in a contract helicopter were directing rangers to seven marijuana patches in the Cowhorn Creek section of the park on August 20th when it became necessary to break off for refueling. When the helicopter returned 30 minutes later, the spotters noted that all of the marijuana had been removed from some of the patches. The rangers on the ground spread out and began to search the steep, deeply wooded area. After a short time, one of the rangers hear a cracking noise in the brush above his location and subsequently picked up a fresh trail. Other rangers converged on the area; as they moved up the mountain side, they began picking up the smell of marijuana. Shortly thereafter, they located two individuals - J.T., 29, and H.W., 44, both of Monticello, Kentucky - and a dog hiding in some rocks at the base of a cliff. Although one of the men was armed with a pistol, they were arrested without incident. During questioning, they admitted that they had ten marijuana patches in the area and subsequently led the rangers to both the patches and their camp. The two had been camping in the area since April, working their marijuana patches, and guarding them against theft. One of the ten patches was cut by the NPS about a month ago. The patches and camp - and their confessions - were all captured on videotape. A total of nearly 400 plants were seized or eradicated from the two subjects and their patches. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 8/21]
On August 29th, rangers received a report that a man had pulled a knife on the caretaker at the Charit Creek Lodge, which is operated by the park's backcountry concessioner. Investigating rangers learned that two men had arrived at the lodge on horseback, and that both had been intoxicated, loud and obnoxious. When the caretaker asked them to leave, one of the men drew a knife and made several threats before riding away. The caretaker then rode to the nearest phone, contacted rangers, and provided them with an excellent description of the two men. A vehicle pulling a horse trailer was subsequently spotted by rangers; as they followed it, they noted that it was being driven in an erratic manner and that it crossed the center line several times. The vehicle was stopped. The two occupants matched the descriptions provided by the caretaker. The driver, R.S., 33, was arrested for DWI, and later admitted to pulling the knife on the caretaker. He was arraigned in state court on August 31st and pled guilty to DWI. R.S. was fined $665, ordered to spend 48 hours in county jail, and required to surrender his license for a year. charges against R.S. for assault will be sought in federal court during the grand jury's next term. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 9/3]
On September 10th, rangers and a local sheriff's deputy, acting on a tip, attempted to locate a marijuana patch on or near park lands. As they drove to the approximate location of the patch, they observed a Toyota truck coming from the area and recognized the three occupants as the ones the informant said were growing the marijuana. The driver of the Toyota ignored a signal to stop and fled at a high rate of speed. As rangers followed, one of the truck's occupants threw a camouflaged jacket out the window which was later found to contain 24 freshly cut marijuana buds. When the truck pulled onto a side road, the two passengers exited and fled into the woods. The driver, G.R., 32, was apprehended and arrested. G.R. is a convicted felon with a prior record for armed robbery and numerous drug violations. Arrest warrants will probably be obtained for the other two subjects, but previous enforcement actions have been unsuccessful because of the U.S. attorney's decision to only prosecute amounts of more than 100 marijuana plants. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 9/12]
A nearby sheriff's office advised rangers of an overdue hiking party in the park on the night of October 26th. Seven people were reportedly in the group, including a 15-month-old baby and an elderly woman with a history of heart problems. A ranger found their vehicle, and a hasty team began searching for them. After several hours, they found the party in a rock shelter. M.W., 65, was experiencing chest pains and having difficulty breathing. The park's rescue team was brought in and evacuated all parties in a night-long effort. M.W. and the baby were taken to a hospital for observation. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 10/29]
On November 26th, ranger Tony Zyvoloski was watching an area along an isolated road where deer frequently graze when a pickup truck approached and stopped about 75 yards from his location. The truck then backed-up a short distance, a rifle barrel came out of the driver's side window, and a shot was fired into the woods. Zyvoloski was able to approach the vehicle under cover before the occupant could exit or drive off. T.D., 24, the truck's sole occupant, was arrested on illegal hunting charges. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 12/3]
On January 13th, rangers and county deputies responded to a report of a body in the Brewster Bridge canoe access parking area and found the body of J.P., 64. J.P. died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigation revealed that J.P. had apparently sent an audio tape to his daughter in lieu of a suicide note, and that he had purchased the shotgun at a local store the day before his death. He was apparently depressed over health, financial and family problems. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 1/14]
On January 16th, ranger Tim Grooms was on patrol when he came upon a Ford Bronco parked along a road near the park's boundary with the Daniel Boone National Forest. There was no one with the vehicle, but Grooms could see several arrowheads on the console and digging tools behind the seat. He located a trail that had been recently used and followed it until he came upon two men digging and sifting dirt in a rock shelter, apparently searching for archeological artifacts. Damage to the rock shelter was extensive. The two men later admitted that they had dug in the shelter on numerous occasions over the past six or seven years. A joint investigation by park rangers and Forest Service investigators revealed that the shelter is less than 100 yards oustside of the park on Forest Service land. Staff archeologists have completed a preliminary assessment of damage and stabilization costs and placed the sum at $50,000. The subjects have voluntarily surrendered artifacts stored at their residence that were reportedly taken from the rock shelter on previous occasions. The investigation is continuing; both criminal and civil charges under ARPA are expected. [John Diefenbach, Acting CR, BISO, 1/21]
On March 7th, rangers received a report of a person hanging upside down by one leg on a rock wall approximately 350 feet from the cliff bottom. When they arrived at the scene, they found that the victim, E.T., had been rescued by a companion. At the time of the incident, E.T. was ascending the 400-foot wall alone. About 50 feet from the top, he stopped to adjust his equipment. E.T. was using a Gibbs ascending system with a jumar system for backup; when he unhooked from his clutch roller and leaned back, his seat harness came loose from the jumar and caused him to fall backward and upside down. The only thing holding him from falling was his right foot, which had become intertwined with his ascending ladder. E.T. hung in this position for nearly 20 minutes while his partner ascended on the same rope and managed to secure him and get him to the top of the cliff. E.T. suffered a dislocated hip and ankle injuries. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 3/10]
During the "Blizzard of '93" on March 13th, rangers received word that a troop of 24 Boy Scouts from Nashville and a group of four high school-aged boys were camped in the park's backcountry. Searchers labored through a 24- inch snowfall and drifts over eight feet to reach the boys. The scouts and their adult leaders were eventually located and taken to a lodge outside the park. Some of the scouts were wearing tennis-style shoes and windbreakers; one had lost his shoes and was wearing only stockings. The group recovered most of their personal belongings and left the area on March 16th. The four high school students were found just before dark on the 13th. Their tent had collapsed due to the wind and snow, and each of the four was wet and suffering from the initial stages of hypothermia. They were led two miles through the snow to Charit Creek Lodge, where the park concessioner provided food and overnight shelter. Rangers escorted them out of the backcountry and drove them home the following day. Several other parties were advised of the storm forecast prior to entering the backcountry; since they seemed well prepared for severe weather, no efforts were made to search for them. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 3/17]
P.Y., 18, of Oneida, Tennessee, was swinging from a rope tied to a tree on the Clear Fork River on the afternoon of June 6th when she fell to the river bank and slid into the water. P.Y. sustained a severe neck injury and stopped breathing. Visitors at the scene began resuscitation; EMS units responded and evacuated P.Y. to a local hospital. She was later flown by helicopter to the University of Tennessee's trauma center, where she is in very critical condition and on life support. [CRO, BISO, 6/11]
On the afternoon of June 18th, ranger Frank Hicks was on a foot patrol along the river above the Blue Heron Complex in the Kentucky District when he heard a group of people shouting for help. Hicks saw them pointing at two young girls floundering in the swift, deep center portion of the river channel. Hicks had spent the two previous seasons in the park as a lifeguard at the park swimming pool, and recognized that the girls were in immediate danger of drowning. He entered the water along with Tim Atkins, the girls' uncle, and they were together able to reach and separate the panic-stricken girls, then tow them to safety. No further emergency services were necessary, but the girls were emotionally quite shaken. A review of the incident revealed that the girls would certainly have drowned without the quick actions of Hicks and Atkins. The younger of the girls, age eight, had panicked and grabbed onto the older, age 14, and was pushing her under the water prior to the rescue. The two girls were at the river with several related adults who were lounging on a shallow shoals bank when the girls accidentally drifted out into the dangerous current. [John Diefenbach, Acting CR, BISO, 6/23]
On July 3rd, T.W., 21, was riding in the park in the back of a pick-up truck with some friends when he accidentally shot and killed himself. T.W. had reportedly been drinking all day long and may have been depressed over a recent break-up with a girlfriend. While they were riding, T.W. took a .25 caliber automatic handgun out of his pocket and put it in his mouth as if he was going to shoot himself. He then removed the gun, took the safety off, and fire it into the air several times. T.W. then put the gun back in his mouth and shot himself. Ranger John Cannon arrived on the scene immediately after the shooting occurred. T.W. was taken to a hospital, where he died shortly thereafter. It's believed that T.W. was intoxicated and therefore was confused about the position of the gun's safety when he accidentally pulled the trigger. [John Cannon, CR, 7/6]
On July 25th, K.S. was swimming in the Big South Fork near the Blue Heron area with other family members when he disappeared under the river's surface. He was located by other visitors within ten minutes and was brought to shore. Rangers and concession employees administered CPR until an ambulance arrived, but K.S. failed to respond and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Contributing factors in his death were his poor swimming ability and the river's strong current. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 7/26]
Rangers from the two parks recently completed a three-week-long joint marijuana eradication operation with officers from three local sheriff's departments and helicopters and crews from the Army Reserve. A total of 284 plots were located; together, they contained 6,079 plants. Criminal complaints are being prepared on one major growing operation, and surveillance is currently underway on a large plot within the park that was not disturbed during the operation. High Times magazine has advised growers not to set plants out until mid-July so that they might escape early fly- overs, and it was evident from the size of the plants found in the parks that they had not been set out until July. The combined street value of the plants has been placed in excess of $12 million. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 9/13]
On January 23rd, the park received an anonymous tip about illegal hunting activity. Rangers Kevin Bishop and Tim Grooms drove to the Stooping Oak Ridge area of the park and found an unattended 1984 Ford four wheel drive pickup at that location. Grooms began surveillance of the area; after several hours, he saw three armed men on an ATV and some dogs approaching the vehicle. The men were confronted and disarmed, and six dead hogs were found tied on the ATV. B.D., J.D. and G.D., all of Corbin, Kentucky, were arrested for hunting and weapons violations. All were suspected of previous incidents of poaching in the park. Investigation revealed that the three brothers had hunted in the same area the previous day and killed a large sow. Because this animal was too large to carry out of the park, it was buried in the snow. The brothers had returned with the ATV to retrieve the animal and shot and killed five smaller hogs at the same time. It appears that they used their dogs to locate and chase the hogs before killing them. Lacey Act violations may also have occurred, since some of the hogs were killed in Tennessee, then transported into Kentucky as the men were leaving the park. All weapons, the ATV and the truck were seized. It's not certain whether the D.s intended to sell the meat or keep it for themselves. [CRO, BISO, 1/24]
On January 22nd, a heavily-armed, mentally-disturbed man shot at some kids playing on a road leading to his trailer in an area near the park. The local sheriff's department was immediately summoned, ascertained that additional help was needed, and asked the park to provide assistance. Rangers John Diefenbach and Richard Jenkins were sent to assist, as were representatives of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and other sheriffs' departments. A stand-off developed with the man barricaded in the trailer for nearly 20 hours. Numerous attempts to convince him to surrender were unsuccessful; tear gas and other chemical agents were used, but were equally unsuccessful. During the stand-off, the man fired over 3,000 rounds of ammunition at officers. At daylight on the 23rd, he was shot and killed while attempting to flee his trailer. There were no injuries to law enforcement personnel during the incident. Although the rangers did not participate in the exchanges of gunfire, they kept the trailer under surveillance throughout the night with night vision goggles and the park's three million candlepower infrared Peak Beam searchlight. They also assisted the sheriff with establishing a limited incident command system. [John Cannon, CR, BISO, 1/24]
On March 26th, a Boy Scout troop from Sevierville, Tennessee, visited the Twin Arches area of the park. While most of the members of the troop were eating their lunch at the base of one of the arches, J.A., 12, managed to climb to the top of the north arch. Once on top, he lost his footing, slipped and fell about 60 feet to a sandy area below, just missing exposed rocks by a few feet. J.A. was unconscious when scout leaders arrived at his location. One of the leaders was a nurse and managed to stabilize J.A.; his fellow scouts meanwhile made a litter, then carried him a mile to the parking lot, where an adult contacted the local sheriff's office by cellular phone. Rangers and an ambulance were summoned. J.A. was treated, taken to a local hospital, then transferred to a hospital in Knoxville. He suffered several broken ribs, a hemothorax, and a possible fractured pelvis. [CRO, BISO, 3/28]
During the early morning hours of April 2nd, S.S., 20, fell from one of the Twin Arches, critically injuring himself. S.S. and three other University of Tennessee students had apparently camped illegally on top of the north arch. His companions admitted that they were all drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana throughout the evening. Later, while everyone was sleeping, S.S. awoke, walked off the arch, and fell about 70 feet to the ground. Responding rangers, assisted by the Fentress County rescue squad, were able to stabilize S.S. and complete a two-hour carry-out. He was then taken by ambulance to a Lifestar helicopter and flown to Knoxville. S.S.'s left lung, left kidney and spleen were removed; he also suffered numerous broken bones and internal injuries. He remains in the hospital in critical condition. This is the second incident of a visitor falling off the North Arch during the past week. [CRO, BISO, 4/4]
On June 14th, cousins B.H., eight, and S.H., seven, were playing in the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River while their mothers were sunbathing on the shore. The children eventually got too far out into the river and were swept into deep water by a strong current. Both mothers responded to their children's screams for help. B.H. disappeared beneath the surface before her mother could reach her, but was quickly located and brought to shore. Although she was unconscious and had stopped breathing, her mother immediately began CPR and she began breathing within minutes. She later regained consciousness. When D.H., 32, reached her son, S.H., he was having difficulty staying on the surface, and grabbed his mother in panic. D.H. was unable to escape his grasp; they were last seen disappearing beneath the surface with S.H. clinging to his mother's neck. Rangers were notified and began a search for the pair in conjunction with other local agencies. Divers located both bodies about 90 minutes after the accident occurred. [CRO, BISO, 6/21]
During the period from August 15th to September 8th, an interagency team comprised of representatives from the NPS, Forest Service, Kentucky state police, McCreary and Scott county sheriffs' offices and Army conducted a marijuana eradication operation in the park. The latter supplied UH-1 and UH- 60 helicopters. About 95 plots and 9,100 plants were eradicated; arrests and asset forfeitures are pending. [Dave Panebaker, Acting CR, BISO, 9/26]
Late on the evening of June 16th, rangers received word from the county sheriff's office that 13-year-old A.W. had not returned to his campsite on Bandy Creek. A hasty search by rangers proved fruitless. The search was escalated around 10 p.m., and plans were made to bring in additional rangers and maintenance personnel the following morning. As the search was gearing up at 8 a.m. that morning, a call was received from Charit Creek Lodge reporting that A.W. was there. He was picked up by rangers and brought back to his campsite. An interview with A.W. revealed that he'd traveled all night and had covered a distance of almost 20 miles. [F. Graham, BISO, 6/19]
Ranger Lowell Dolen and McCreary County deputy Terry Mason were spotting marijuana from the air as part of a state task force eradication effort when they observed an unusual looking patch in the national forest adjacent to the park's boundary, landed, and walked in to confirm their observation and plan for surveillance of the area. While on their way out, Dolen and Mason were fired upon between two and four times. They only got a glimpse of their assailant, however, and no shots were fired in return. Neither man was injured. A search for the assailant was begun, but no arrests have yet been made. The nearly 6,000 seedling marijuana plants at the location were seized and destroyed. [CRO, BISO, 6/21]
M.H. and S.H. were walking along the Blue Heron river. When M.H. bent over to pick up a rock, the .22 caliber revolver he was carrying fell out of its homemade (and unsnapped) holster, struck the ground, and discharged. The bullet struck him in the chest. He was taken by ambulance and helicopter to the University of Kentucky hospital, where he is in serious but stable condition. Rangers Mike King and Tim Grooms investigated. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO]
Since late April, rangers have been participating in three multi-agency marijuana eradication programs - Operations Early Harvest, No Grow and Cumberland Gap. The three operations led to the eradication of approximately 18,000 marijuana plants from 200 plots. Eight people were arrested, and additional indictments are expected. [Tim Grooms, LES, BISO]
On October 28th, ranger Tim Grooms was asked to assist in a search for a body by police from Lexington, Kentucky. P.M. had admitted to killing his roommate, Michael Hall, in August of 1994, then dumping the body in the park. P.M. was taken back to the area; a day-long search was conducted, but proved fruitless. On December 5th, P.M. was returned to the area and a second effort was made, this time with the assistance of ranger Mike King. Hall's body was found a quarter mile from the park's boundary in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Media stories have incorrectly placed the body discovery in the park. [F. Graham, CR, BISO]
On the afternoon of March 20th, county deputies received a call from a man at the Leatherwood Ford parking area who was threatening suicide and asking for help. A significant snow storm was in progress at the time. Rangers Brinkley and Flood responded in four-wheel-drive vehicles. They talked to the man, convinced him to seek treatment, and drove him to a hospital in Oak Ridge. Doctors told the rangers that the man was on medication and had not taken it for five days. They believed he was capable of carrying out his suicide threat. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO]
Rangers received a report of a possible drowning at the Blue Heron canoe ramp around 5 p.m. on June 25th. A multi-agency response followed. The first ranger to arrive joined a visitor in providing CPR to T.P., 32, of Stearns, Kentucky, but she was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene by the county coroner. An extensive search was then begun for her seven-year- old son, B.P., but it has so far been fruitless. According to witnesses, the boy was wading or swimming by a grassy island near the ramp. The mother and another person were on the island. When she saw him having trouble, she went to his aid. The boy was a new swimmer and was relatively unskilled; the mother was either a weak or non swimmer. [Tim Grooms, Acting CR, BISO]
Interpretive ranger Renn Strunk reported a suspicious vehicle leaving the Blue Heron complex just minutes before a reported car clout on August 18th. The description matched that of a vehicle suspected in a car clout in the Daniel Boone NF which had occurred two hours previously. The vehicle was found just outside the park. Rangers Mike King, Frank Hicks and Tom Barnes investigation led to the arrest of two adults and a juvenile. A continuing investigation in conjunction with Kentucky state police and the Forest Service had linked the trio with two additional suspects in at least six car clouts in and around the park. Additional charges are being investigated for credit card fraud and larceny. Over $2,000 in stolen property and $1,000 worth of property bought with stolen credit cards has so far been recovered. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO]
The park held its fourth annual "Haunting In The Hills" story-telling festival during the week of September 9th. The event featured eight professional story-tellers from across the county who performed throughout the week. During the week, the story-tellers and a uniformed ranger visited 20 schools - every elementary and middle school in the five counties surrounding the park - and appeared before over 10,000 students and 600 teachers. The festival concluded on the 14th with a series of events, workshops and performance in the area adjacent to the Bandy Creek visitor center. During the morning, the story-tellers conducted teacher workshops while a local dulcimer club gave beginning and intermediate lessons for the public. During the afternoon, the story-tellers presented family-oriented stories, which were followed by presentations by students from several local schools and a concert by a dulcimer club. About 1,000 people attended the afternoon event. The festival ended with a full night of ghost stories, attended by over 2,000 people, some of whom traveled a considerable distance. [Steven Seven, BISO]
On May 9th, maintenance employees reported that a portable toilet had been damaged at the Alum Ford boat ramp. Investigation revealed that the damage had been caused by a pipe bomb. On May 12th, a portable toilet was found damaged at the Blue Heron overlook parking area, also by a pipe bomb. Rangers and ATF and FBI agents are investigating. No arrests have been made, but a suspect has been identified. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO, 5/22]
Rangers participated in a summer-long marijuana eradication effort known as Operation Gray Day in conjunction with officers from the state police, Forest Service and five county sheriff's departments and members of the Tennessee National Guard. A total of 120 hours of overflights were conducted by airplane and helicopter. Just under 6,000 plants were found and eradicated in 167 plots in and around the park. Rangers also arrested two people for cultivation and assisted in seven other arrests on county and state charges. The value of the marijuana has been placed at $10.7 million. The sheriff's departments made other arrests and destroyed additional plants in one of the most intense eradication efforts in the area in several years. WASO Ranger Activities provided the funding to support the operation, which is having a perceptible effect on marijuana harvesting in the park. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO, 9/18]
On October 3rd, H.M. and C.S. pled guilty in federal court to cultivation of marijuana on park property. H.M. was sentenced to 21 months in prison and a $4,000 fine and forfeited his 1993 Nissan pickup truck; C.S. was sentenced to 20 months in prison and a $4,000 fine. This is considerably more time than they would have received in state court, and a primary reason for the decrease in cultivation on park lands. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO, 10/16]
Ranger Tim Grooms was on patrol in the Cat Ridge area of the park on January 24th when he came upon a vehicle which he believed might belong to a known resource violator. He staked out the vehicle and soon saw two men coming out of the woods on an ATV with shovels, screens and other digging tools. The two men - J.S. and S.M. - admitted to digging in a rock shelter. They were escorted back to the shelter by rangers Grooms and Melloan, where they confessed to digging two trenches totalling 27 feet in length, three feet in width, and a foot in depth. The park's archeologist prepared a damage assessment the next day. Felony charges are pending. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO, 1/27]
Additional reports on the effects of recent severe storms on parks have been received: Big South Fork NRRA (KY/TN) - The storm of February 3rd dropped over two feet of wet snow over the entire park and caused massive power outages and numerous road closures. Highway 297 through the middle of the park was reopened to traffic on Saturday, February 7th, but power was not restored to the headquarters area until February 10th. The Bandy Creek visitor center is still without power, so the Stearns visitor center, normally closed in the winter, has been opened to provide visitor information. Crews continue to open major roads through the park, with the emphasis placed on the most heavily used public accesses. The Divide road has been opened to the state line from highway 154; Fork Ridge, Twin Arches and Terry Cemetery roads are also open. Crews will move to the south end of the park today and begin work on the Burnt Mill/Honey Creek area. Blue Heron road and Bear Creek road (as far as Bear Creek horse camp) are open on the Kentucky end of the park. The road to Alum Ford and Yahoo Falls was worked on yesterday. An aerial assessment of the park is planned for tomorrow or early next week. It appears that the park's 500 miles of trails sustained major damage, and that it could take the remainder of the year to get them repaired. Reports from other parks that have also been significantly affected by these storms would be appreciated. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO, 2/11; Jay Lippert, DR, FIIS, 2/12]
Two backpackers approached park maintenance workers on the afternoon of March 11th and reported that the Parch Corn cabin had burned that morning while they were camping there. The backpackers then went to the site with ranger Randy Justice and park archeologist Tom Des Jean to investigate. The backpackers said that they'd camped in the cabin overnight and had built a fire in the fireplace on the previous evening. When they rekindled the fire and stoked it the following morning, they saw smoke and flames issue from the chimney at the point where it entered the cabin's ceiling. They threw their coffee on the fire, then went outside to get water. By the time they returned, the entire structure was engulfed in flames. It was damp and light snow was falling at the time, so no ground fire started. According to Des Jean, the cabin had been built in 1881 and was one of only a few historic structures still in the park. No charges were filed. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO, 3/13]
Approximately 90% of the park's roads and trails were closed by fallen trees as a result of the major snow storm that struck the park on February 3rd. The park's maintenance staff has been working seven days a week since then to clear the trails, but the workload is still tremendous. The Friends of the Big South Fork accordingly organized a volunteer work day to try and get as many volunteers as possible to the park for a one-day work session. Operation Trailbreak was planned for April 18th, with 25 park employees each heading up six-person crews to help clear the park's trails. All of the counties that the park covers sent crews to help with chipping along the main park roads. The project was undertaken under dark skies and only two days after tornadoes passed through the area. The event drew 158 people, who collectively donated 1,160 hours of work. Nearly 60 miles of roads and trails were either opened or cleaned to Service standards. Another 12 miles of trails were raked clear of debris from the storms of the preceding week. There were no injuries and the event was deemed a huge success. This incident was managed under ICS and was staffed by park employees from all divisions. [F. Graham, CR, BISO, 4/23]
Around 7 a.m. on April 26th, rangers Randy Justice and Kristy Kozel received phone calls from the county sheriff's department reporting that a hiker had fallen over the cliff near the East Rim overlook. Rangers, county SAR and EMS personnel, and the park's interagency rescue team all responded. They located five people who had been camped out near the rim when one of their number - D.F. - slipped and fell about 100 feet down the embankment, including a 50-foot vertical fall. D.F. suffered several broken ribs, a fractured arm, and internal injuries. He was carried out using technical rescue methods, then transported by ground to park headquarters, where he was picked up by a Lifestar helicopter and flown to Knoxville. Alcohol was a factor in the incident. The rescue took about three hours. It was facilitated by the proximity of the park's SAR cache, which was only about a half mile from the spot where D.F. fell. [F. Graham, CR, BISO, 4/27]
On May 8th, rangers received word that a gathering of the Rainbow Family was being staged in the Rock Creek area of the park. Rock Creek is a prized fishing stream and is highly sensitive environmentally. Rangers contacted the group on the afternoon of May 9th. About 25 people had set-up camp at the site; another 200 were expected. Camp sites had been cut out in the woods and there was extensive resource damage. One individual took responsibility for the damage and was issued a citation. The group was advised to obtain a special use permit and told that they would need to leave the Rock Creek area. As of May 12th, they had neither departed nor applied for a permit for another location. The group size on that date was estimated at 50 people. They were contacted shortly thereafter by a task force of county deputies, Kentucky state police officers, a drug dog team, EMS personnel, and 18 commissioned rangers (who happened to be in the park for a law enforcement refresher). Although no violence was expected, it was believed that members of the group would neither comply with the request to move nor seek a permit for another location. Provisions had been made for a mass arrest if compliance was not obtained. The group was contacted and decided to move out of the park after a "group council session." Group members packed up all of the camp, conducted some rehabilitation of the area, then departed. This area extends across the state line into Kentucky and the Daniel Boone National Forest. The group has camped before in the Daniel Boone and will be contacted by Forest Service law enforcement officers at a later date. The incident was managed under the ICS system. Ranger Tim Grooms was IC. [F. Graham, CR, BISO, 5/13]
On September 1st, rangers were notified of a vehicle that had gone over a cliff along Station Camp road. The vehicle was upside down at the base of a 25-foot cliff. The body of M.P., 64, of Helenwood, Tennessee, was found within. M.P. had last been seen on August 28th. A 10-ton crane donated by a local construction company was required to remove the vehicle from the base of the cliff. Heart problems likely caused the accident. Ranger Barry Melloan is investigating for the park. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO, 9/2]
A park visitor made a cellular phone call to rangers on April 22nd and reported that he'd sen a man sitting in a car on the O&W roadway who had cut his wrist and was bleeding profusely. Ranger and park medic Julie Parrish responded. Parris found G.L. of Oneida, Tennessee, unconscious and slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle. Parrish began EMS treatment, administering IV fluids and oxygen. An ambulance eventually arrived, and treatment continued for another 90 minutes until G.L. was stable enough to be moved. Due to road conditions, G.L. was taken by ranger vehicle to the ambulance, then transported to a hospital for treatment and evaluation. [F. Graham, CR, BISO, 4/23]
A.T., 18, was swimming with friends at the Station Camp river access point on the afternoon of August 1st. A.T., who was a poor swimmer, slipped into deeper water and began to struggle. His friends and family tried to help, but he pulled them down with him and they had to release him in order to avoid going under as well. Rangers and local authorities were notified, and A.T.'s body was recovered shortly thereafter. The body recovery was aided by a new underwater camera that was bought by the local rescue squad for this purpose. Ranger Kristy Kozel is lead investigator. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO, 8/2]
A man's body was found in the river below a bridge abutment near the point where O&W Road meets White Oak Creek on the afternoon of October 3rd. He had extensive trauma to the right side of his head and face and to his chest. The man, subsequently identified as S.R., 32, apparently had been dead and lying at that location for 24 to 48 hours. S.R. had been reported missing from his residence in Kentucky since September 30th. Evidence of foul play was found, and an investigation by rangers and deputies is underway. The park has consulted with the local FBI office. Ranger Ron Parrish is leading the investigation for the park. [F. Graham, CR, BISO, 10/5]
On the afternoon of March 18th, rangers received a radio call from Obed WSR ranger Rob Turan regarding scanner traffic he'd heard on a possible suicide at Brewster Bridge on Highway 52 within Big South Fork. Rangers Barry Melloan and Kristy Kozel responded. A joint investigation was begun with state and local authorities which led to the determination that one L.B. had been reported missing on March 17th and had last been seen alive round 1:30 p.m. that afternoon. L.B. had been driving his mother's car and had parked it in a parking area near the bridge. She'd picked the car up from the lot that night, not knowing where her son had gone. When he failed to return home, the family became alarmed and began searching for him the following morning. They found his body under the bridge. Investigation showed that L.B. had walked under the bridge, then apparently stumbled off a 40-foot cliff. The accident may have occurred between 1:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the 17th, and alcohol may have been a factor. [F. Graham, CR, BISO, 3/20]
On April 2nd, Scott County dispatch advised park staff of a hiker who'd sustained a broken leg in a fall near Honey Creek overlook. Five rangers and 15 members of the interagency rescue team responded and found hiker R.S. with a dislocated tibia and broken fibula in his left leg. Several belay systems were used to extricate R.S. from the creek bottom. R.S. had been hiking with his friends when he slipped off a large rock and slid to the bottom. Ranger Ron Parris served as medic and ranger Barry Melloan was the technical specialist. [Randy Justice, IC, BISO, 4/7]
On July 19th, L.M., 52, of Robbins, Tennessee, went fishing near Burnt Mill Bridge. When he failed to return home by the following day, his wife called 911; county dispatch then notified the park. Park personnel, county deputies and the county volunteer rescue squad responded. L.M.'s possessions were found, but there was no sign of him. A search of the area revealed a blood stain on a rock that extended into the river and a pair of pliers near the rock. Ranger/medic Ron Parrish began a hasty search of the river bottom near the rock and found L.M.'s body in about eight feet of water about 70 feet from the rock. The autopsy indicated that L.M. had suffered a heart attack that likely caused his fall, but that the cause of death was accidental drowning. [Tim Grooms, Acting CR, BISO, 7/22 and 7/28)
On August 19th, ranger Tom Barnes came upon a number of freshly cut poles at a campsite at the Alum Ford campground. He checked the site and discovered over 50 walking sticks in various stages of completion. The occupants of the camp - J.H. and R.C. - were traveling around the country, manufacturing and selling walking sticks in areas where hikers and campers congregate. Circumstances led Barnes to call for additional support, and he was joined at the scene by ranger Julie Parrish and Forest Service canine handler Gus Skinner. Neither J.H. nor R.C. was able to provide satisfactory identification, so both were arrested. They were charged with theft of government property, destruction of natural resources, possession of drug paraphernalia, and various motor vehicle violations. J.H. and R.C. had an 18-month-old child with them who was turned over to the Kentucky Department of Social Services. During the course of the investigation, rangers learned that R.C. had eight known aliases, that he had on occasion used six different social security numbers, and that he was a fugitive from Texas for parole violations associated with an aggravated robbery. Barnes was able to positively match 13 of the walking sticks with freshly cut tree stumps in the area around the campsite. On August 21st, R.C. and J.H. appeared before a federal magistrate and were found guilty of the charges. J.H. was sentenced to time served, a year's probation, and $300 in restitution and released; R.C. was sentenced to five days in jail and a year's probation and held for extradition to Texas. [Tim Grooms, Acting CR, BISO, 8/22]
On November 25th, rangers Barry Melloan and Randy Justice were notified that a shooting had occurred at Long Field just off Highway 297. They found that hunter B.D. had shot himself in the leg. B.D. told the rangers that he'd returned to camp from hunting and was in the process of taking a 9mm semi-automatic pistol from his pocket when it discharged. The bullet hit him in the leg, causing minor injuries. He was taken to a county hospital, where he was treated and released. No charges were filed. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO, 11/27]
Just after noon on April 21st, the park received notification that there was an unconscious person on the O&W road in a remote section of the park. Several rangers and a county ambulance crew responded and eventually found 57-year-old D.L., who had been thrown from a horse when it had been spooked by a branch. D.L. suffered serious head injuries. He was transported by ATV to a Lifestar helicopter and flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. As of yesterday, he was still in critical condition in the hospital's intensive care unit. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO, 4/23]
A nine-year-old boy drowned while on a canoe trip in the park on April 18th. Rangers were notified of the incident in mid-afternoon, and found that a party of four individuals - two adults and two children - had capsized above Angel Falls Rapids, a class IV rapids on the Big South Fork River. Three members of the group reached shore below the rapids, but the fourth could not be found. Over 40 searchers from the park and an interagency rescue squad searched the river and shores until well after dark. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency was contacted; that organization provided an infrared-equipped helicopter. Search efforts were called off at 3 a.m., then resumed later that morning. Due to lower river levels, searchers found the body of Donald Hunt a short distance from the point where his canoe capsized. He was still wearing his life jacket, but had been pinned below the water by the force of the river's currents. The park provided counseling for family members during the incident and a stress debriefing for park staff involved in the incident thereafter. [Steven Seven, PIO, BISO, 4/22]
During the period from August 6th to August 18th, rangers were involved in a marijuana eradication exercise called Operation Harvest. Joining rangers were officers from three county sheriff's departments and an area drug task force. Although only 400 plants were eradicated, the operation was viewed as a success, as the number of plants found and destroyed is down from a high of almost 20,000 plants in 1995. Rangers and local officers believe that the continuing eradication operations have pushed growers away from the Big South Fork area, which was the project's ultimate goal when it first began. A stolen truck was also found during overflights in Scott County, Tennessee. It proved to be a critical piece of evidence in a methamphetamine trafficking and lab case and a jail escape. The truck also provided probable cause information that permitted the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to secure search warrants for the premises on the property where it was found. [T. Grooms, Eradication Coordinator, BISO, 8/22]
Several cars were broken into at the Leatherwood Ford parking area on October 8th. Two wallets with military ID's, government credit cards and personal credit cards were stolen. When one of the owners called to cancel his cards, he found out that they had been used a number of times that morning in Tennessee and Kentucky. Ranger Kristy Kozel obtained surveillance tapes from Kentucky stores for viewing, and a local gas station attendant identified the man in the tapes as D.C. Search and arrest warrants were obtained. D.C. turned himself in and confessed to the break-ins and to the fraudulent use of the credit cards. Ranger Tim Grooms spoke with D.C. the next day about other car clouts and thefts that had occurred around the park. D.C. also confessed to these and implicated a second person. D.C. appeared in court on state charges on October 17th and pled guilty to the October 8th car clouts and credit card fraud. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail and four years' supervised probation and ordered to pay $1,900 in restitution. Somerset, Kentucky, police are charging him with the use of the credit cards in that state, and the park will be charging him with two counts of felony car clouting and one count of felony theft from a campsite. Additional charges are pending, as more evidence is being uncovered linking the two men with other break-ins around the park and in surrounding communities. [Frank Graham, CR, BISO, 10/30]
Lifeguard Matt Harris was working at the Bandy Creek Pool on the afternoon of June 11th when he spotted a child lying on the bottom of the pool. He jumped in and brought the child to the surface, where he coughed up water and began breathing on his own. The two-year-old boy, later identified as E.H., had slipped away from his mother's attention while playing in the baby pool and jumped into the adult pool. The water was approximately three-and-a-half feet deep and over his head. E.H. was unable to swim and had just gone under when Harris saw him. E.H.'s mother then took him home after thanking Harris. (Frank Graham, BISO, CR, 6/13)
C.B., 16, of Strunk, Kentucky, drowned while swimming in the Big South Fork River just below the Blue Heron mining community around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19th. The community is located within the park. C.B. was swimming with several others and was swimming across the river when the accident occurred. Due to the location, it was necessary for members of the group to drive to the top of the gorge in order to contact McCreary County 911 via cell phone. Rangers, Pine Knot VFD, McCreary rescue and local EMS responded. Members of the rescue squad worked the river using boats and conducted bank searches; due to the depth of the river at that location, however, it proved necessary to also call in area divers. About five minutes after the local divers entered the water, they found Baird's body. Ranger T. Barnes was IC on the incident. [F. Graham, CR, BISO, 6/21]
On Sunday, August 11th, a car was broken into at the Leatherwood Ford parking area. Another car was broken into the next day. The timing and method of entry were similar in both incidents. A decision was made to sit on the parking lot on Tuesday during the identified time period. Due to limited resources, the surveillance was terminated at the end of the time period. Later that day, a third car was broken into with the same method of entry. On Wednesday, more staff were brought in to conduct surveillance of the area, and a bait vehicle was utilized. Early in the afternoon, a man later identified as C.W. broke into the car and took a purse and wallet containing marked bills. C.W. was arrested and jailed. He was interviewed at the jail and confessed to all of the thefts. Charges have been filed through the U.S. Attorney's Office. C.W. agreed to cooperate in the investigation and all of the stolen articles were recovered. Ranger Jimmy Barna was the investigating ranger. [F. Graham, CR, BISO]
Rangers were notified of an apparent suicide in the park on the evening of October 3. Ranger Randy Justice investigated along with local officers. They found the body of a 58-year-old man in his car in the parking lot on the East Rim overlook. He had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head from a .22 caliber rifle. The man lived just a few miles away. He had reportedly been divorced recently and was very depressed. He had previously attempted suicide and was under watch by the local human resources department. A joint investigation is underway. [Submitted by Frank Graham, Chief Ranger]
On January 5, ranger Kristy Kozel received a report from a deer
hunter that he had found human bones in a remote area of the park. Kozel
responded along with rangers Kevin Moses and Randy Justice. The three
rangers found the bones in a previously unrecorded archeological site;
evidence found at the scene indicated that the bones might be
prehistoric. Initial confirmation was made by park archeologist Tom Des
Jean, who estimated the remains to be as much as 2200 years old. The
site showed evidence of extensive digging and artifact hunting, with
indications that items may have been removed from the site. A few hand
tools and a sieve were recovered from the scene. The remains will be
sent to the University of Tennessee for further examination. If no
modern day criminal intent is indicated, the remains will be handled
under NAGPRA guidelines.
A park employee came upon a motor vehicle accident on Leathrwood Road
in the park on February 6. The driver of a tractor-trailer had failed to
negotiate a curve, and his rig had traveled about 200 feet down a very
steep embankment. The driver was the only occupant of the truck and was
killed in the crash. Three heavy wreckers were required to move the
wreckage so that the driver's body could be removed. Due to the
extremely steep terrain and distance from the road, the recovery effort
required the use of safety lines and high angle techniques and took over
six hours to complete. More than 20 people were involved in the recovery
efforts. Tennessee Highway Patrol and Tennessee Commercial Vehicle
Enforcement officers are assisting with the investigation. Cleanup of
debris and the cargo of hardwood lumber was underway at the time of the
report on Friday and was expected to require several more days. The
incident was run under ICS with Tim Grooms as IC.
Ranger Randy Justice received a phone call at his residence from
Scott County dispatch on the morning of July 19th, advising him that the
observation platform at the Honey Creek overlook was on fire. When
Justice arrived at the overlook, he found that a local volunteer fire
department had already arrived and gotten the fire under control. A
five-foot section of railing and some of the floorboards of the wooden
structure were burned. Justice found another corner of the platform
where wood had been placed on top of the railing and set on fire but
only caused some scorching. The investigation is continuing.
During the week of September 15th, the park held its eleventh annual
"Haunting In The Hills" Storytelling Festival. This year's event
featured eight professional storytellers from across the country. During
the course of the week, these tellers, along with a uniformed ranger,
visited 32 schools and gave presentations to over 11,000 students and
800 teachers - almost every head start, elementary, middle school
and high school in the five counties that surround the park. The school
presentations were funded in part by donations received through the
Friends of the Big South Fork and community businesses. On Saturday, the
festival concluded with a full day of events, workshops and performances
held in the fields adjacent to the Bandy Creek Visitor Center. The
morning featured craft workshops, included basket making, flint
knapping, wood carving, quilting, and dulcimer classes. During the
afternoon; the storytellers presented family-oriented stories, followed
by presentations from students representing several of the local schools
and members of the audience, a concert by the Knoxville Area Dulcimer
Club and bluegrass music. About 2,000 people attended during the
afternoon. The festival ended with a night of ghost stories, which was
attended by over 3,000 people. The "Haunting in the Hills" continues to
be the largest free storytelling event in the Southeast.
On the afternoon of September 30th, M.G. departed a housing
subdivision near the west side of the park for a solo horseback ride.
She told a neighbor that she would be back in a few hours, but had not
returned by 11 p.m. Her neighbor according alerted the Fentress County
Sheriff's Office. The Fentress County Rescue Squad conducted a search
during the early morning hours, and park staff launched an extensive
hasty search at first light, with more than 15 park employees
participating. By 3 p.m., the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency had
a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter airborne. About 45 minutes later,
the pilot radioed that his crew had located M.G. and that she appeared
to be okay. M.G. told rangers she had been knocked unconscious for an
unknown period the day before when she fell off her horse.
Hikers came upon a body near Yahoo Falls on the morning of October
29th and reported their discovery to two employees from Daniel Boone NF
who were working along Highway 700. The forest Service in turn notified
rangers and the county rescue squad. Rangers found the body of
28-year-old R.K.H. of Bowling Green, Kentucky, at the base of
the 113-foot high falls. The county coroner pronounced him dead at the
scene. Rangers found R.K.H.'s campsite above the falls at one of the
several overlooks located on the Yahoo Falls loop trail. It appears that
he fell from the top of the falls sometime during the previous night,
but the exact cause remains under investigation. Ranger Jimmy Barna was
IC and lead investigator for the incident.
Rangers Jimmy Barna and Randy Justice received a report of a break-in
at the Bandy Creek campground entrance station on the morning of
November 29th. They discovered that a window had been smashed, the
security light had been broken, and the phone lines had been cut, but
found no indication that anyone had entered the building. Later that
day, park visitors told the rangers that their car and two others at the
Leatherwood Ford trailhead had been forcibly entered. In each case, the
passenger side window had been broken and personal items had been
stolen. One of the victims requested an activity check on his credit
card and found that one card had been used at a local retail store at 4
a.m. that morning. Barna, Justice and ranger Kevin Moses investigated
further, and were able to identify a suspect - 18-year-old J.H.
- from a surveillance camera photo. A search warrant was
obtained and served at a local residence with the assistance of Oneida
City Police Department officers. Several of the stolen items were found
during the search. J.H. identified a second suspect, 19-year-old
Jeffery Lowe. A second search warrant was obtained and served at a
second residence, where the remainder of the stolen property was
recovered. J.H. and Lowe were taken into custody; Lowe's stepfather was
also arrested for drug possession. Federal and state felony charges are
pending at this time. The investigation continues.
Rangers found themselves in a real "pickle' on the morning of Monday,
March 15th. A call came in from the local sheriff's office, reporting
that a tractor-trailer was stuck along Leatherwood Road, a not uncommon
occurrence. But this time there was a difference — the tractor was
gone, leaving only a trailer full of cucumbers in the roadway. No tags
or other identifying marks were on the trailer. A local wrecker service
removed it and rangers began an investigation into the origin of the
trailer. They finally found the owner of the rig, which had been stolen
from a truck stop during the previous weekend. The crime was solved with
assistance from the Tennessee vehicle enforcement division.
On Sunday, August 22nd, rangers arrested D.G. and J.C.,
both of Burnside, Kentucky, for digging up and removing
artifacts from one of the park's numerous prehistoric rock shelters.
While on patrol, rangers had earlier noted signs of fresh digging in the
shelter, one of many that they monitor. Additional patrols were
subsequently made in hopes of catching the thieves. A ranger checking
the site on Sunday saw D.G. and J.C. digging there. They were
arrested on ARPA charges after being observed and taped for about 30
minutes.
Today's update on Hurricane Ivan recovery operations follows. SERO has conducted a survey of all its parks — only those areas listed had reported problems not previously noted: Big South Fork NRRA — Although there was quite a bit of flooding within the park, there was no reported damage to structures. A low water bridge at Leatherwood Ford was damaged and will have to be repaired. This popular visitor attraction will remain closed until it is fixed. The Station Camp area was closed over the weekend, but has now reopened. Reports from Peter Givens, IO, Incident Management Team, GUIS; Bill Halainen, IO, Incident Management Team, DEWA; Ken Garvin, Kenny Slay and Michelle Fidler, SERO; Chris Stubbs, Acting Superintendent, BISO; Connie Backlund, Superintendent, CARL; Jimmy Dunn, LIRI.
A search is underway for a local man who got lost in the park on the evening of Sunday, February 11th.The man and a companion were in a truck that got stuck, so left it and began walking out. They saw lights and decided to go straight toward them in order to get out of the woods. This entailed a crossing of the Big South Fork River. The river temperature was about 30 degrees and the air temperature was about the same at the time, causing one of the two men to return to the riverbank. The second man continued on, though, and has not been seen or heard from since. A search was conducted through much of the night and ramped up on Monday morning to a larger operation. A helicopter from Mammoth Cave was called in, as were dog teams. Assisting agencies included McCreary County SAR, the county sheriff's office, and Daniel Boone National Forest. [Frank Graham, Chief Ranger]
The search for F.W., who's been missing since last Sunday night, continues (see Tuesday's edition for the initial report). F.W. and a friend were four-wheeling around 6 p.m. on Sunday evening when they became stuck along the east side of Big South Fork near Lick Creek and decided to walk out for help. Around 8 p.m. they saw lights on the other side of the river, possibly from residences or vehicles on Highway 92. The men decided to go directly to those lights and entered the river, but F.W.'s friend turned back when the water got chest high. The pair remained in voice contact, but only for a short time. F.W.'s friend reported the incident and a search was begun that has continued since that time and has involved ground searchers, tracking dogs and helicopters. The operation began scaling back yesterday due to bad weather and increased difficulty in obtaining local assistance due to the work week. The plan for Thursday and Friday was to have all NPS personnel who are boat certified conduct visual searches between Yamacraw Bridge and the Alum boat ramp. If F.W. is not found, the operation will ramp up again on the weekend with local rescue squad personnel assisting and resumed diving and dragging operations. If those efforts prove fruitless, the operation may scale back to periodic patrols and air searches incidental to regular helicopter flights. Ranger Tommy Barnes is IC. [Frank Graham and Steven Seven]
The week-long search for F.W., 31, missing since Sunday, February 11th, came to a conclusion this past Saturday with the discovery of his body in the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. Rangers were advised that he was missing around 10 p.m. on the 11th. F.W. and his companion, L.B., had evidently attempted to swim across the Big South Fork after getting their vehicle stuck in a mud hole along the river's edge. Unable to swim, L.B. gave up the attempt and returned to shore. When communications with F.W. failed, L.B. walked to nearby Yamacraw Bridge to summon help. A hasty search was conducted that night, then followed the next day by an extended search by rangers, member of the McCreary Rescue Squad, and, eventually, personnel from many other local and regional rescue squads. The search continued throughout the week in snow and sub-freezing temperatures. On the afternoon of Saturday, February 17th, his body was found near the point where he likely entered the river. [Steven Seven, Public Affairs Officer]
The park received a 911 call on the evening of March 13th reporting that two backpackers were lost in a very dense and rough part of the park. A search was begun for their car to narrow down the search area, which is very large, but it had not yet been found as of Wednesday morning. Additional searchers and helicopters were being brought in. [Frank Graham, Chief Ranger]
On the evening of March 2nd, field training ranger Raymond Little and trainee Todd Roessner attempted to approach a vehicle obstructing the roadway in the Worley river access area. The driver immediately took off when the rangers activated their cruiser's emergency lights. The pursuit continued down a dead end secondary road at a high rate of speed. When the fleeing driver reached the end, he drove through a closed gate, knocking it off its hinges. Rangers pursued him into a muddy field located on private property, where the vehicle became stuck on a steep muddy hillside. The rangers conducted a high-risk stop and arrested the driver and passenger without incident. A narcotics detection K-9 later alerted on the interior of the vehicle, but no narcotics were found. The occupants of the vehicle were charged with obstructing traffic, unsafe operation, interfering with agency functions, and failure to have vehicle insurance. The passenger had been previously been convicted of murder and is the subject of several pending narcotics distribution investigations. [Raymond Little, Field Training Ranger]
Over the past two big game hunting seasons, protection rangers have employed intelligence and information gathered from field contacts to conduct focused anti-poaching operations in areas of the park that have been heavily poached over the years. Action plans were developed and operations were conducted throughout the park. Tactics included wildlife decoy operations, hunter checkpoints, and surveillance. Since the park is under concurrent jurisdiction, local Kentucky and Tennessee game wardens and a Tennessee state park ranger assisted in the operations. Also participating were recent FLETC graduates who were completing their field training assignments at the park. During these operations, rangers and wardens made a total of 24 illegal hunting cases. Nearly 50 violation notices were issued, 19 weapons were seized, and almost $5,000 in restitution was paid into the park's resource protection fund. The money was used to purchase specialized equipment and to pay ranger overtime. All the operations were conducted safely under the park's SOP for anti-poaching details. [James Barna, Operations Coordinator]
J.R., 16, of Pine Knot, Kentucky, drowned while swimming in the Big South Fork River around 4 p.m. on Monday, July 7th. The accident occurred just below the Leatherwood Ford parking area. According to witnesses, J.R. was swimming with several other youths and was attempting to cross the river when the accident occurred. Due to the location, it was necessary for members of the group to drive to the top of the gorge in order to contact rangers. Park staff and local EMS personnel responded. Initial efforts to find him through snorkeling and boat and bank searches were unsuccessful, so a diver was summoned to aid in the effort. He found J.R.'s body within a few minutes of entering the water. [Frank Graham, Chief Ranger]
On June 30th, J.M. of Bowling Green, Kentucky, told friends that he was going camping in the park for about a week. Two weeks later, friends advised Bowling Green police that he was overdue and missing. The park was apprised the next day, July 15th, and a BOLO ('be on the lookout' message) was posted for his vehicle. J.M.'s truck was found the next night in the Leatherwood Ford parking lot near the Angel Falls trailhead. No information was found in the vehicle as to where he might be. Family members told rangers that J.M. liked to hike to the falls and was a regular visitor to the park. Searchers checked all trails in the Leatherwood Ford area that day, but found no sign of him. A full scale search was begun the next day and his body was found about two hours later near a creek about a thousand feet from the trail. Indications were that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that he'd probably been dead since the day he was reported to have come to the park. An autopsy was conducted which confirmed the probability of suicide. [Frank Graham, Chief Ranger]
On March 15th, rangers received a report of stranded canoeists in the Alum Ford area within the park's Kentucky District. A couple from Chicago had attempted to canoe from Alum Ford to Turkey Creek while the river was at flood stage, running at approximately 15,000 cfs (cubic feet per second). The water temperature was also dangerously cold at 45 degrees. Within a mile, they encountered huge rapids which flipped the canoe and nearly drowned both of them. The boat and all their gear were lost. They were able to crawl out of the river and walk back upstream, clinging to rocks and branches, until they got the attention of some people back at Alum Ford and a call was made to 911. Rangers Curtis Stone and Jimmy Barna responded and located the couple with the help of bystanders. With flood waters still rising, Stone was able to use the park's jet boat to negotiate the treacherous whitewater to a point where he could reach the victims, who were now nearly hypothermic. Rangers and bystanders positioned themselves downstream along the river with throw bags and rescue gear as Stone ferried the man and woman back across the frigid water to safety. No further injuries occurred and the pair were transported from the scene and made a full recovery. Barna was incident commander. [Frank Graham, Chief of Visitor Services]
Four men headed off on a two-day canoe trip on the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River around 3 p.m. on Friday, May 15th, launching their two open canoes at the Leatherwood Ford river access. About two miles downstream, they missed their intended portage at Angel Falls Rapid and were swept into the Class IV whitewater, where both canoes overturned. All four men were washed through the rapid and emerged in a large pool of flat water. They were able to establish voice contact with each other and verified that all four had emerged from the rapid. The two members of the group who were furthest downstream secured the canoes and equipment on the west bank of the river and awaited the arrival of their two companions. They saw one of them - T.E., 61, of Knoxville, Tennessee - swimming toward them, then suddenly give a shout and begin having trouble staying afloat. The two men swam to his aid and found T.E. face down in the water and unresponsive. They pulled him to shore and attempted to revive him, but without success. T.E. was not wearing a lifejacket at the time. One member of the group hiked about a quarter mile through very rugged terrain to reach a hiking trail, then followed it for about two miles upstream to Leatherwood Ford, where he used an emergency phone to call 911. Rangers Tom Barnes and Howard Duncan responded along with personnel from Scott County EMS and the county's rescue squad. Rescue team personnel used ropes and a litter to pull T.E. up a very steep and muddy river bank and carried him to a trail where an ATV was used to transport him back to an ambulance at Leatherwood Ford. He was taken to a local ER, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy is pending. Barnes was the incident commander and is the investigating ranger. [Frank Graham, Chief Ranger]
Rangers received a phone call on the morning of May 17th reporting a fire at Blue Heron overlook. The overlook consists of an approximately 2000 square feet of deck with a metal-roofed structure over half of the deck. The visitor reported that it appeared that lightning had struck the overlook and that it was burning and nearly fully consumed. Rangers and fire crew personnel responded and found the overlook approximately 70 percent consumed and still actively burning. The fire was immediately extinguished using the park's engine, with unburned sections of the overlook saved by cutting away burning portions. A small section of woods also burned adjacent to the overlook. An investigation revealed no sign of vandalism and that there was substantial lightning the evening before the fire was reported. The structure is still being evaluated to estimate how much can be saved. Ranger Jimmy Barna was IC and investigating ranger on this incident. [Frank Graham, Chief Ranger]
A Scott County Sheriff's Office dispatcher received a cell phone call from a lost hiker on Friday, December 18th. The number was given to rangers and contact was made with J.H. J.H. reported that he'd been hiking in the Twin Arches area with two other people late Thursday night when they decided to go off trail and camp. When they attempted to return to the trail, they became disoriented. A description of where they had gone off trail put them in the Charit Creek drainage. Rangers attempted to determine a more precise location, but could not due to J.H.'s lack of knowledge of the area. A search was begun immediately, as it was raining and the forecast called for it to soon turn to snow. Personnel searched for approximately six hours without luck. The rain did not turn to snow, and plans were made to continue the search at first light the next day. Additional personnel were called in and the search resumed early on Saturday morning. Further phone contact helped them to finally locate the trio in mid-afternoon. Search efforts were hampered by the men continuing to move after being told to stay in one position so that searchers could find them. Tommy Barnes was IC. There were no injuries to either hikers or searchers. [Frank Graham, Chief, Visitor Services]
On the afternoon of Friday, March 5th, rangers James Cannon and Jimmy Barna were patrolling on Worley Road in the Kentucky portion of the park when they came upon a parked blue 1996 Dodge Neon with four people inside. Both doors of the vehicle were open and soft drink cans and trash were on top of and around the vehicle. As the rangers got closer, they could see the occupants of the vehicle beginning to move in their seats. They were leaning forward and making furtive movements with their hands and appeared to be hiding items as they approached. Barna contacted the foursome. He obtained the driver's license and identified her as K.M. of Stearns, Kentucky; her three passengers were identified as K.S., T.W. and R.S. They all appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. During a consent search, Barna found a clear liter plastic bottle in the back seat. The bottle had a cap on it and contained an almost clear liquid with white and metallic flakes in the liquid. The bottom of the bottle had a multi-colored gritty substance in it. This was identified as an active methamphetamine lab (one-pot cook method). All four were arrested and transported to the federal jail in London, Kentucky. Charges are pending. [Frank Graham, Chief Ranger]
On April 9th, a visitor called 911 and reported a canoe pinned above Angel Falls Rapid (Class IV) with two boaters clinging to the rock at the head of the rapid. Multiple drownings and boating accidents have occurred at this rapid (which has severely undercut rocks) in recent history. Rangers, Scott County Rescue Squad members, and river guides from Sheltowee Trace Outfitters all responded and participated in the rescue. Once safety measures were put into place, a modified Telfer lowering system was employed and a raft with a rescuer was lowered to the victims. After being on the rock for nearly three hours, the two men were able to jump into the raft, which was pulled to safety. Ranger Jimmy Barna was IC. [Jimmy Barna, Field Training Ranger]
On the morning of Saturday, August 7th, a park employee advised ranger Jim Cannon that a person was missing on the river at Blue Heron. Cannon responded and spoke with two people in a canoeing party who said that the missing man, Bryce Hood, had last been seen floating on his back down the river. Cannon summoned the McCreary County Rescue Squad and directed park staff to search along the river banks in the area. According to the people who were with Hood, they'd launched canoes at the Blue Heron canoe access and planned to boat to Yamacraw. While stopped for a break at a calm looking pool, some members of the group began swimming in the river. Witnesses said that Hood was not a good swimmer, having learned just a few weeks previously. Another member of the group told Cannon that Hood had cut his right big toe on a rock, and that they thought that he'd gone to the bathroom to care of it. There was a time span of approximately five minutes from the point where someone last saw Hood until they realized that he was missing. An unidentified witness told the group that he last saw Hood floating on his back down the river, but added that he did not look as if he was in distress. The Pulaski County Rescue Squad dive team arrived around 3:30 p.m. and searched the area where Hood was believed to have last been seen. They employed sonar and began a grid search of the river, working their way down to an area known as Joe's Shoals. Meanwhile, a Kentucky State Police helicopter flew the river gorge, searching both the river and both banks. Divers found Hood about six feet underwater in an eddy along the river's left bank. A raft was employed to recover the body, which was turned over to a coroner. Cannon was IC on the incident. [Frank Graham, Chief Ranger]
Rangers received a call from the McCreary County Sheriff's Office late on the afternoon of April 13th reporting an apparent drowning in the river just south of Alum Ford. Rangers responded and began working with Kentucky Fish and Game officers who were already on scene. Three local residents - J.B., C.H., and T.G. - had put in a canoe at Yamacraw Bridge and were fishing their way to Alum Ford. They fished until about 3 p.m., at which time they encountered some strong rapids. The men attempted to paddle through, but capsized. Two of the fishermen were able to swim to shore, but Godfrey was not able to make it. One of the fishermen reported that he tried to assist T.G., but was unable to bring him to shore. An undertow pulled both men underwater and that was the last they saw of T.G. They walked to Alum Ford and called 911 at approximately 5 p.m. A search was conducted by boat and along both banks of the river. A local SAR dog team was in the park training and was called to assist with the search. Efforts were still underway yesterday. Ranger Barry Melloan is IC. [Frank Graham, Chief Ranger]
An interagency search continues for 29-year-old T.G. of Pine Knot, Kentucky, who has been missing since the canoe he and two companions were in capsized in swift water last Wednesday. The incident occurred on the Big South Fork River approximately two miles downstream from Yamacraw Bridge. Efforts are currently being hampered by flood conditions created by heavy rain over the area Friday night and early Saturday morning. [Howard Duncan]
Park personnel found and recovered the body of missing canoeist T.G. late on the afternoon of April 26th, bringing to a conclusion the longest search in Big South Fork's history. The 13-day effort came to an end when his body was located about five miles downstream from the point of the accident. On Wednesday, April 13th, T.G., J.B. and C.H. were fishing the Big South Fork River when their canoe capsized in some rapids. J.B. and C.H. were able to make it to shore, but T.G. was pulled under and believed drowned. This led to an intensive search for T.G. by Park Service employees as well as several other agencies and many volunteers. Resources were brought in from as far away as Knoxville, Tennessee, and Bell County, Kentucky. Searches were conducted by foot, dog team, sonar, cameras, divers and boats. The river was searched extensively between the point of the accident and the Turkey Creek boat ramp. Heavy flood waters hampered the search on a couple of days, but some efforts were made each day. Ranger Barry Melloan was IC throughout the incident. [Frank Graham, Chief Ranger]
On the afternoon of Sunday, May 20th, D.P., 17, drowned in North White Oak Creek while swimming with a group of people at the end of the maintained section of O&W Road. D.P. and one of his friends had jumped into the creek from a large boulder. While swimming around the boulder and back to shore, D.P. started struggling and went underwater. Several people helped pull him out. CPR was started immediately. Because there was no cell phone reception in the area, some members of the group drove down the road until they were able to call 911. The National Park Service, Scott County Sheriff's Department and Scott County EMS responded and transported D.P. to St Mary's Hospital in Oneida, where he was pronounced dead. [Randy Scoggins, Chief Ranger]
Ranger Zeb Whitaker and Chief Ranger Randy Scoggins were on patrol in the Tennessee District on May 8th when they came upon a vehicle parked in a pullout off Highway 297 near the Leatherwood Ford area. Whitaker tracked the occupants of the vehicle into the woods and observed them actively digging wild American ginseng inside the park boundary. He concealed himself and continued to monitor the digging activities while Scoggins returned to the cruiser to run the license plates. Whitaker contacted the two ginseng poachers as they were leaving the area and found them in possession of 38 wild ginseng roots. One man was cited for digging ginseng. When he failed to show up in court for his initial appearance, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Scott County Tennessee officers arrested him on the outstanding warrant and rangers transported him to federal court, where he pled guilty to digging ginseng. He was fined $250 for the violation and ordered to pay restitution to the park in the amount of $380. [Noel Mays, Park Ranger]
On the evening of August 26th, an altercation took place between the owner and employees of a park concession. The incident began with a verbal altercation at the Charit Creek Lodge between the concessioner and employees that subsequently escalated on the Fork Ridge Road, which leads out of the Charit Creek Lodge. It was reported that the owner of the lodge fired a shotgun at one of the employees as he passed by him on the Fork Ridge Road and that one of the employees rammed the owner's truck with her vehicle, as he had it parked blocking the road. Rangers Kristy Slaven and Noel Mays and Fentress County deputies were dispatched to the call, arriving on scene around 11 p.m. The investigation revealed that no shots were fired in the incident, but that a shotgun was displayed by the owner of the lodge. Rangers also learned that an employee did attempt to try to push the owner's truck out of the roadway. Several violation notices were issued to all involved in the incident. [Noel Mays, Park Ranger]
During the federal government shutdown last October, a National Park Service facility on the Kentucky side of the park was burglarized, with thousands of dollars of equipment stolen. During that same time period, Kentucky state facilities in the area were also burglarized. Park rangers began a joint investigation with the McCreary County Sheriff's Office, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Kentucky State Police. Several of the stolen items were found in a local pawn shop, which ultimately led to the arrest of two suspects - A.A. and J.C. The collaborative investigation resulted in A.A. confessing to his involvement in the crimes and accepting a plea deal with the state of Kentucky, resulting in a sentence of 18 years in prison and five years of probation. J.C. eventually pled guilty and has been sentenced to a prison term of 15 years. Both men had extensive criminal histories, which factored into determination of the length of their sentences. [Noel Mays, Park Ranger]
A large ice storm last Saturday crippled a large portion of the Upper Cumberland Plateau, including Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The storm came on the heels of a week of snow and subfreezing temperatures that left area residents struggling to drive and local schools and businesses closed due to unsafe road conditions. Snow-covered roads became ice sheets and trees, branches and power lines were broken by the weight of the ice and wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph. Some area residents are still without power and phone service. Currently, the HYPERLINK "http://www.tnema.org/" Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has Tennessee at a Level II state of emergency. The area hardest hit in the park appears to be south of the Kentucky state line, but the full impact to park roads and facilities has not yet been determined due to icy road conditions and the large number of downed trees. Park staff are currently focused on clearing main access roads. There are no reports of stranded visitors at this point. [Niki Stephanie Nicholas, Superintendent]
A large ice storm on February 21st crippled a large portion of the Upper Cumberland Plateau, including Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, following a week of snow and subfreezing temperatures. Snow-covered roads became ice sheets, and trees, branches and power lines were broken by the weight of ice and wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph. The HYPERLINK "http://www.tnema.org/" Tennessee Emergency Management Agency declared a Level II state of emergency. The park has completed a week-long assessment that has revealed that approximately 80% of Big South Fork's 125,000 acres have been affected by the ice storm. Storm-related impacts are primarily located south of the Kentucky state line. The enormous number of trees downed by the storm, twisted and stacked upon each other, will require removal from roads and trails in order to allow access. Over 70 miles of park roads and more than 370 miles of trails are impacted. Park staff are currently working to open park roads, but will have to wait for a spring melt before addressing the damaged trails. [Niki Stephanie Nicholas, Superintendent]
On Sunday, January 14th, rangers were notified of a lost elderly couple when the couple's daughter called 911 to report them missing near Sheep Ranch in the southern area of the park. Search efforts were conducted throughout the day in steep wooded terrain. The missing persons were spotted in the late afternoon from a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter, which was able to guide ground searchers to their location. They reported that they'd gotten disoriented the previous day while hiking off trail and ended up spending the night out in single-digit temperatures. Both were hypothermic. The woman was transported to Big South Fork Medical Center, where she was treated and released the next day. The man was flown to the University of Tennessee Hospital, where he was still in intensive care at the time of the report. Members of the Scott County Rescue Squad, Scott County Sheriff's Office deputies, Tennessee Highway Patrol Air Operations staff, Scott County EMS personnel, and local landowners participated in the search. Source: Big South Fork NR&RA news release.
Rangers and emergency responders from the Scott County Rescue Squad and Scott County Ambulance Service worked together for several hours this past Saturday to rescue a mountain biker following an accident on the Grand Gap Loop, one of the five mountain biking trails in the park that draw an "epic" rating from the International Mountain Biking Association. Three other mountain bikers who happened to be at the trailhead at Bandy Creek were able to help locate the injured rider, who had been riding solo, and were soon joined by park responders. The rider suffered a broken ankle and was transported out of the backcountry by rescue squad and EMS personnel, then taken by ambulance to the Big South Fork Medical Center ER. "I am thankful that my buddy's injury was not life-threatening, and I will spend a little extra time today being thankful for our local first responders," said one of the bikers. "And I will also send in a donation to our local rescue squad. The rescue took about five hours, but to the responders, it was just another day at the office." Source: The Independent Herald.
On August 9, a visitor died from injuries sustained by a 100-foot fall while free solo climbing* with a friend near Twin Arches. Personnel from local emergency response and NPS staff recovered the body. Source: Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area *Editor note: The NPS erroneously called it "free-climbing" in their press release. However, the climber was reported to have been climbing without ropes or other equipment, which is more accurately known as "free soloing." "Free climbing" is a style of climbing in which the climber does not use any gear for mechanical advantage to ascend the rock, but they do use harnesses, ropes, and devices to catch the climber in the event of a fall.
On August 26, park staff discovered an abandoned vehicle, UTV, and boat in the Blue Hole section of the park, which is closed to all vehicles. They appeared to have been dumped on separate occasions. Park staff was able to remove the vehicles, and the incidents remain under investigation. Source: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
On October 25, a contractor, Cape Dredging, Inc., began removing a 72-foot scallop boat that ran aground in March 2020 just south of the Oregon Inlet Campground. The NPS made attempts to have the owner claim and remove the vessel, but it was abandoned. Since the incident, the shipwreck has been half-buried by sand. The removal project is expected to cost $295,000 and take roughly a month to complete. The NPS is continuing to attempt to recover the cost from the registered owner, but decided it was prudent to remove the vessel before it becomes prohibitively more expensive and to minimize ecological effects. Source: Daily Press, Island Free Press
On December 1, the body of a 33-year-old was found in the Split Bow Arch Overlook Parking Area., which is in the Kentucky District of the park. The cause of death is suspected to be drug overdose. McCreary County Sheriff's Office is investigating and will make the final determination. Source: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
On May 27, two individuals broke into the Blue Heron Train Depot, causing significant damage and stealing government property. Surveillance footage captured the individuals and their vehicle/trailer, and fingerprints were recovered from the scene of the crime. The NPS is asking the public for any information they might have about the incident. Source: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area June 15, 2022 On June 8, a local 58-year-old was reported missing. The following morning, NPS staff found the individual's motorcycle at a backcountry campsite in the park, and then the individual was found deceased inside a tent. The victim's body was recovered with assistance from Scott County EMS, Scott County Sheriffs Office, Scott County Rescue Squad, and Fentress County Sheriffs Office. An investigation is underway. Source: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Devils Cave was recently "heavily graffitied." The NPS is looking for any information the public may have. Source: The Independent Herald
On October 19, a bridge safety inspection by the Federal Highway Administration identified structural issues with the pier's bridge decking on the historic Blue Heron Tipple Bridge. The bridge is now closed, and the FHA and NPS are developing a plan for repairs and stabilization. Source: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
On March 29, visitors discovered a deceased 23-year-old in the water at Yahoo Falls. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Responding agencies included the NPS, McCreary County (KY), Whitley City Fire Department and Ambulance Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. An investigation of the incident is underway. Source: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
On May 26, a storm dropped almost two inches of rain and produced "dangerously high winds," leaving extensive damage across several park trails and roads. Many visitors were trapped overnight at the Charit Creek Lodge. Park staff were able to work "tirelessly, yet safely," to clear roads so visitors could leave the following day. As of May 29, ten park trails and three roads remained closed while park staff mitigate dangers. Source: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (5/28, 5/29)
On June 21, the park was able to reopen the southern end of Divide Road, all of Fork Ridge Road, and the Salt Pine Horse Trail, Yellow Cliff Horse Trail, Station Camp Creek Horse Trail, and Charit Creek Horse Trail. About seven trail and two road sections still remain closed due to the damage sustained in a major weather event on May 26 (see 6/12/24 Coalition Report). Source: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
On July 26, the park reopened all roads and a number of trails after their closure due to a May 26 weather event (see 6/12/24 and 6/26/24 Coalition Reports). The Middle Creek Nature Loop, Gobbler's Knob Wagon Trail, and Laurel Fork Creek Hiking Trail remain closed due to hazardous trees. They will reopen after repairs are complete. Source: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
On September 12, the Tennessee Department of Transportation closed the Pine Creek Bridge because it was deemed unsafe. The bridge is outside Big South Fork's boundaries, but is the access point for O&W Road in the park. There is no estimated reopening date yet. The NPS will meet with Scott County (TN) the week of September 15 to discuss next steps. Source: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
On September 21, a specialized viewfinder that helps colorblind individuals see vibrant fall foliage was stolen from the East Rim Overlook. They also ripped a large hole in the floor of the overlook balcony. The park has temporarily repaired the hole and will replace it later this fall. The park is looking for any information the public can provide about this incident. Source: Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area | |