Body Recovered, But Elderly Woman Missing After Dozens Rescued At Cummins Falls

JACKSON COUNTY, TN — Rapidly rising waters following a torrential downpour during Wednesday afternoon's storms trapped dozens of people in Cummins Falls State Park. A body pulled from the water Thursday was not that of a missing elderly woman and parks officials said the recovery operation for her would continue.

Shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday, waters at the creek began to rise, climbing three feet in less than three minutes. Around 40 people were trapped in the area of the 75-foot waterfall: 27 underneath the falls itself, three on an island in the creek and 10 more on the side of the gorge. All but one — a 73-year-old woman whose identity has not been released— were rescued and safe by 8 p.m., when the search was called off. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

Foot patrols, kayakers, drones and other aircraft searched up to seven miles downstream of the falls Thursday. A body was located but it was not that of the missing woman and it's unclear to officials if the person was part of the group trapped Wednesday.

One of the rescued women told WKRN that the usually crystal-clear waters of the popular hiking destination and swimming hole turned brown just as the water began rising.

Several people were airlifted out of the park while others were pulled from the waters by a rope. There were only minor injuries among the rescued.

Image via Tennessee State Parks