13-year-old St. Joe boy dies in fall at Buffalo National River

A 13-year-old boy from St. Joe has died after falling nearly 260 feet near Brewer Bluff at the Buffalo National River in Searcy County Saturday. The Searcy County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the incident shortly after 11:00 Saturday morning. Brewer Bluff is located river right, below Woolum.

According to information from the Park Service and Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell, multiple agencies responded to the area including the Harrison Fire Department which had members repel over the edge of the bluff while park rangers made it to the scene from the river. Cassell says the fire fighters conducted a high angle rescue.

The teenager was unresponsive when rescuers reached him.

The National Park Service says the victim was with a friend at the time of the accident when he lost his footing.

Buffalo National River Park Superintendent Angela Boyers extended her condolences to the victim’s family and thanked the responders who helped at the scene. She reminds everyone the terrain in the Buffalo National River can be rugged and steep.

While enjoying an overlook, rangers advise to stay a safe distance from the edge.

Agencies involved in reaching the victim and at the scene included the National Park staff, Searcy County Sheriff’s Office, Buffalo National River Search and Rescue volunteers, Marshall Fire Department, Harrison Fire Department, and Survival Flight.

The incident is being investigated by the National Park Service and the Searcy County Sheriff’s Office.

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