11-Year-Old Boy Killed on Boy Scout Camping Trip

WOLFE COUNTY, Ky (WTVQ)-Some heartbreaking news out of Wolfe County. An 11-year-old boy is dead after a tree fell on his tent in the Red River Gorge Saturday night.

The Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team says Jack Rose was camping near Chimney Top Creek with his boy scout troop from Louisville. Search and Rescue says Rose died immediately when the tree fell and hit him on the head.

Two doctors were camping close by. Search and Rescue staff say they worked together to give Rose CPR, but it didn’t work.

“We want to be able to take the person out and hand them to EMS or hand them to the family. Everyobdy is good, happy and healthy, but when something like this happens it’s a traumatic thing for everyone involved for certain,” John May, a Wolfe County Search and Rescue member, said.

Clint Scharff, the Deputy Scout Executive and COO of the Lincoln Heritage Council, sent ABC 36 this statement:

“This is a very difficult time for our Scouting family. We are extremely saddened to confirm that during a local troop camping activity, a falling tree resulted in the death of one of our youth members. Immediately following the incident, troop volunteers  and two medical professionals on site attempted to revive the youth and troop leadership contacted the Wolfe County Search and Rescue teams for support. No other youth members or adult volunteers were harmed as a result of this tragic accident.” 

“The safety and well-being of our participants is our top priority. We are also mindful of the Scouts present on the outing and the impact the incident had on them, and will be offering grief counseling to our members and volunteers. Please join us in keeping these families in your thoughts and prayers.”