13-year-old dies after fall at Buffalo National River
By Abner Sosa
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SEARCY COUNTY, Ark. (KHBS) — A 13-year-old boy died Saturday after falling from a bluff at Buffalo National River, according to Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell.
The victim was identified as Kayleb Lynn Eddings, 13, of Searcy County. He was with a friend when he slipped on gravel off the edge of the bluff. Cassell said the area is near where he and his family live.
Cassell said his office received a call about the fall around 11:00 a.m. on Oct. 18 near Brewer Bluff. The National Park Service shared details of the incident in a post on the Buffalo National River’s social media page, which Cassell confirmed.
Emergency responders from Buffalo National River, the Marshall and Harrison fire departments, Survival Flight, and Buffalo National River Search and Rescue arrived at the scene. Cassell said members of the Harrison Fire Department rappelled about 260 feet over the bluff while park rangers reached the area from the river below. Eddings was found unresponsive.
The boy’s father, Toby Eddings, said he was the first to arrive and find his son. He said the family is together as they grieve and has asked for privacy.
Cassell said the National Park Service is leading the investigation, with Searcy County assisting. He described the death as a tragic accident and said the terrain in the Buffalo National River area can be rugged and steep.
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