‘Tragic’ day: Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team finds 1 dead, 1 dehydrated in Red River Gorge

RED RIVER GORGE, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — Sunday saw multiple rescue efforts from the Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team and various other rescue personnel in the Red River Gorge area.

The Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team (WCSAR) posted on Facebook that crews received a 911 on Sunday for a camper who was unable to breathe.

WCSART said attempts to maintain contact with the caller were unsuccessful. While the camper traveled by car to try and gain cellphone service, “the 911 pings were in varying locations” throughout the Red River Gorge area, leaving rescue teams unable to find the victim.

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Rescue crews found a member of the caller’s group in the area of Highway 715 near the Suspension Bridge parking area, but by the time crews got to the campsite, the victim was found unresponsive in his tent. The man was later pronounced dead by the Menifee County Coroner’s office, per rescue personnel.

WCSART said crews received a separate 911 call around 1:50 p.m. on Sunday “as the team was packing out the male subject.”

The second call was for a woman who had reportedly suffered from heat exhaustion in the area of Hanson’s Point. A “hasty” group of multiple rescue teams and emergency personnel hiked to the location of the victim, with a second team behind them carrying additional rescue gear and crew members.

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WCSART said rescue teams found the woman on Rough Trail in the area of the Hanson’s Point cutoff. She was treated for dehydration and was able to recover and walk without further medical assistance.

WCSART asked visitors to the Red River Gorge area to be aware of the summer heat as well as their surroundings when camping. The team posted on Facebook, “As we continue to see very hot and humid conditions in the area, we encourage all visitors to the RRG to use caution, stay hydrated and take frequent breaks to stay cool.”

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