Update: Eyewitness Speak About Chimney Rock Accident
May 26, 2008
Authorities have had little to say about the accident that happened earlier this holiday weekend when a toddler fell 200 feet off the rock to his death.
Aura Maas of Raleigh was standing near the family.
“I heard this screaming,” she said. “In my mind I thought perhaps they had seen an animal and that was the commotion. As I got close, I realized what had happened. The child went down.”
Her husband John, also there, said, “They ran after the child; they they…they jumped the fence and tried to get down.”
The sight stunned the couple as well as the young victim’s family.
“Oh..my gosh..it was horrible..my wife was with the mother..she was frantic..everyone was dazed and confused,” said John Maas.
Falling two hundred feet to a trail below the skyline loop was the fatal move. It’s an advanced trail, with a fence, and the boy appears to have slipped under.
Aura Maas spoke to the boy’s mother, who claims she was holding her son’s hand and he slipped out of her grip.
The bottom railing is about 2.5 feet off the ground, according to park visitor Richard McGinnis, who was at the scene during rescue efforts.
McGinnis, of Boiling Springs, arrived at Chimney Rock Park about the same time as emergency crews. He said he frequently hikes at the park and decided to tag along with rescue crews in case they needed help with directions.
“It would be easy for a toddler (to go under the fencing) if they broke loose from their parents,” McGinnis said.
Citizen Times
A really sad story of how a family’s outing turned tragic in a split second. Language barriers were a factor in gathering information after the accident unknown if that contributed to the accident as well. I’ve been up on Chimney Rock when it was privately owned and there was signs warning people to be careful because of the slippery conditions as well as the rather steep drop offs. Common sense would tell someone that the area is dangerous for the little ones. This appears to be the first fatal accident at the park in recent history.
Story by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, Ill explore new places and ideas Ill learn new things and Ill teach the things Ive learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
