Fayette County Coroner identifies hiker who died after 40-foot fall at Whittleton Arch

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Fayette County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died after falling while hiking at Whittleton Arch in the Red River Gorge.

According to the release, 24-year-old Cameron Smoot of Mason, Ohio, was pronounced dead Saturday at UK Hospital after suffering critical injuries in the fall.

Powell County Search and Rescue says the incident happened around 4 p.m. Saturday, when Skaggs fell an estimated 40 feet from the top of Whittleton Arch onto rocks below. Emergency crews from Powell County EMS, Lee County Search & Rescue, Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department, and Kentucky State Parks responded to assist.

Rescuers say Smoot was alert when first located but in critical condition. He was carried out of the Gorge, transferred to Middlefork Fire Department, and then flown by helicopter to UK Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

The Fayette County Coroner’s Office is continuing to investigate.