Kentucky Hiker Dies After Fall

Robert Lyons, 73, died last Friday evening after suffering injuries in a fall that occurred that afternoon while he was hiking in the park with his wife. The accident reportedly occurred on Schoolhouse Gap trail about seven miles from the Townsend entrance, but responding rangers were unable to find the pair on that trail. Shortly thereafter, Lyons’ wife called to report that the accident had actually occurred on the Chestnut Top trail, about five miles from the originally reported location. When rangers got there, they found Lyons sitting by the side of Townsend entrance road. He said that he and his wife had hiked just a few hundred yards up the trail when a thunderstorm rolled in and they turned back towards their car. He then stumbled off the trail and tumbled about 20 feet down a steep slope, possibly suffering back injuries. He was able to continue down the slope on his own and eventually reached the road. Due to his back pain, ranger summoned a Rural Metro ambulance, which transported him to a helicopter that flew him to the University of Tennessee Hospital in Knoxville. The park was later notified that he died of apparent blunt trauma to his chest late that evening. No autopsy is planned.