Ava teen dies in fall at Buffalo National River

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A teen from Ava was killed this past weekend in a fall at Lost Valley at the Buffalo National River. The name of the 16-year-old male has not been released.

Officials from the Buffalo National River say the Newton County Sheriff’s Office was notified about 1 Saturday afternoon of a hiker who had fallen near Eden Falls on the Lost Valley Trail. The teen was hiking with a large group from church when he left the established trail near Eden Falls Cave and scrambled up the steep hillside near the cave entrance. After losing his footing, the teenager fell approximately 20 feet, sustaining traumatic head and spinal injuries.

Witnesses conducted CPR and rendered first aid until emergency personnel arrived on scene. The teen was unresponsive when National Park Service rangers and paramedics arrived.

Park Superintendent Mark Foust says “The park staff and I extend our deepest condolences to this young man’s family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved and to the communities effected by such a tragedy. We are thankful for those who assisted during the incident, including the first responders, North Arkansas Regional Medical Center ambulance staff, Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Ponca Volunteer Fire Department, Harrison Fire Department, Mennonite Disaster Service, and the BUFFSAR volunteers.”

The terrain in Buffalo National River can be rugged and steep. Off-trail travel is often dangerous, and Buffalo National River officials ask visitors to please stay on established trails to avoid injury.

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