Woman Rescued At Fall Creek Falls Park After Cliff Jump Attempt

A woman in her 20’s was rescued Monday after suffering significant injuries from a 85-foot jump from a waterfall inside Fall Creek Falls State Park.

Van Buren EMS Director Tiwanna Bricker said the Fall Creek Falls Fire Department and state park personnel were first to the scene.

“Fire Department units got there, and they set up some rope high-lines and hauled her up from a basket from the bottom of the cable trail,” Bricker said. “It probably took us an hour to extricate her.”

Bricker said hitting water from 85 feet is more like hitting concrete. Bricker said several people every year attempt to jump Cane Creek Falls, get injured and require a rope rescue. Bricker said jumping from the fall is also illegal.

“Anything that looks fun to do, you just don’t know the dangers underneath the water,” Bricker said. “Right now, water levels are down and anything from that height is extremely dangerous.”

Bricker said a language barrier between the patient and local emergency crews prevented a full report of injuries, but responders determined a need for Air Medical. The woman was transported to the landing zone and flown to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.

“It was significant enough that we did fly her to the trauma center,” Bricker said.