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An unidentified man fell from a cliff at Stone Door on the morning of Friday, June 23. 

While details are limited, reports indicate that he plummeted approximately 150 feet from an overlook after being startled by a rattlesnake. Emergency personnel were dispatched to the state park at approximately 10:15 a.m.

Rescuers were able to gain access to the man and reported that he was conscious and complaining of back pain. Emergency crews on the ground worked to stabilize the man before crews from Altamont Volunteer Fire Department, Beersheba Springs Rescue and Coalmont Volunteer Fire Department extracted the man.

Coalmont Fire Chief Gene Richard led the removal, which was completed at 1:15 p.m. En route from the park to the landing zone in Beersheba Springs, where a helicopter was waiting, he suffered sudden cardiopulmonary arrest. The ambulance continued to Southern Tennessee Regional Health System in Sewanee. Emergency Medical Service officers performed CPR in transit in an effort to restore heart activity, but to no avail. The victim was pronounced dead upon arrival at STRHS.

The man’s name, age and place of residency have not been released.