Camper found dead in Red River Gorge; rescue team assists another with heat exhaustion

A camper was found dead inside his tent in the Red River Gorge area Sunday, according to the Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team .

The search & rescue team received a 911 call around 11:30 a.m. reporting a camper was not breathing. The search and rescue team said it had a hard time determining the exact location of the campsite due to a lack of cell phone service but eventually learned the campsite was along Wolfepen Creek near the parking lot of the Sheltowee Trace/Suspension Bridge Trailhead.

The camper was found unresponsive in his tent and pronounced dead by the Menifee County coroner, according to the search and rescue team. The identity of the man and the cause of death is unknown.

The Powell County Search & Rescue Team and Red STAR Wilderness EMS also responded to the scene.

A couple hours later officials received a report of a hiker suffering from heat exhaustion near Hansons Point. The Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team said two groups began hiking towards the hiker’s location and found her on Rough Trail near the Hansons Point cutoff.

The hiker was treated for dehydration and walked off on her own power, according to the Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team.

The normal temperature range for June 30 in Mt. Sterling is between 62-86 degrees Fahrenheit , according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures yesterday reached 90 degrees at Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport , with the day starting out with high humidity.

“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,” the Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team said in a Facebook post.