Falls, some with tragic results, have been on the rise in central Kentucky’s Red River Gorge. Recent accidents have kept members of the Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team busy.
In less than a week, two children went missing, an Ohio man fell to his death, and a female hiker survived a fall. The Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team responded to two of those accidents. Deputy Coordinator John May says the number of falls is up this year. “You know our team specifically responds to 30 to 40 rescues a year and we have already exceeded that,” said May.
May says the autumn months tend to be the busiest at the Gorge. May’s safety suggestions include leaving alcoholic beverages at home and staying on the safe side of barriers.
An Ohio man died after failing to make a jump at the popular Chimney Top Rock site. May says crossing over barriers is never a good idea. “When you jump across you’re actually jumping down and when they get over to the Chimney, they try to jump back up," he said. "So, now you’re jumping across that crack and you’re jumping up and unfortunately in many cases, they don’t make that leap back up.”
May says erecting taller barriers is not guaranteed to keep people out of dangerous spots and would be an infringement for thousands of visitors who obey the rules.?
