On Sunday (July 6) Burke County Emergency Services responded to a fatal rappelling incident at Steele Creek Falls at the end of Forest Road 228 (God’s Country Road) involving an adult male. According to a news release issued by Burke County officials, the man reportedly became incapacitated and drowned.
At approximately 1:15 p.m., Burke County Emergency Communications received a report of an individual who had been rappelling the waterfall. While Emergency Services were en-route, a second call was received by Burke County Emergency Communications stating that the individual had possibly drowned and bystanders at the scene had initiated CPR.
Due to the challenging terrain and remote location, technical rescue teams required a significant amount of time to reach the victim safely. Despite the bystanders’ life-saving efforts, the patient was pronounced deceased after emergency crews made access to the scene an hour later. The individual’s name had not been released.
Responding agencies included Burke County Emergency Management, Burke County Rescue Squad, Burke County EMS, Burke County EMS Special Ops, Linville Central Rescue, Chesterfield Fire Rescue, Triple Community Fire, and Burke County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation of the incident was conducted by the United States Forest Service.
Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY