The body of a hiker who had become lost at Fall Creek Falls State Park in heavy snow and subzero temperatures has been found by rescue crews.
A Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter using forward-looking infrared radar found the hiker's body 700 feet down from the bluff line at Cane Creek Gorge on Tuesday. Crews worked in shifts to make the recovery, according to a news release from the Piney Volunteer Fire Department in Spencer, Tennessee.
Kim Schofinski, spokesperson for Tennessee State Parks under the state Department of Environment and Conservation, confirmed the fatality but declined to identify the person. In a phone call, officials at the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office identified the deceased hiker as Nathan Bayless, 46, of Van Buren County.
The hiker's death is among 14 weather-related fatalities reported by the Tennessee Department of Health as of Wednesday evening. Five deaths were reported in Shelby County, two in Washington County and one each in Hickman, Madison, Carroll, Knox, Lauderdale and Henry counties, according to the state Emergency Management Agency.
Piney volunteer firefighters were joined in the search by the Fall Creek Falls Fire Department, park officials and the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office off of Park Road near the park entrance, officials said in the release.
(READ MORE: Man, 22, found dead near Sunset Rock on Lookout Mountain)
Crews found tracks in the snow leading into the woods to the bluff line overlooking Cane Creek Gorge, the release states.
"Due to the steep terrain, deep snow and frigid conditions, rescue personnel were called back to rehabilitate," the news release states. "The THP helicopter responded to the area and found the subject. Personnel were quickly dispatched to respond to the location. It took a crew of park rangers over an hour to hike to the location."
Once the hiker's position was confirmed, rescue officials from Dunlap, Chattanooga's cave and cliff team, rescue squads from Putnam, White and Warren counties, Sequatchie County Emergency Management, and rangers from various state parks worked to come up with a way to haul the hiker out, the release states.
(READ MORE: Man, 22, found dead near Sunset Rock on Lookout Mountain)
"The patient was down a 700-foot bluff that required a couple of rope systems to be set up for hauls," the release states.
Fresh crew members replaced those who became tired and cold.
"The extremely cold temperatures and deep snow hampered rescue efforts," officials said. "The temperature was recorded as low as minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit."
The hiker's body was brought to the top of the escarpment and carried out to meet a vehicle to be transported to an ambulance, officials said. The last rescuer made it to the top of the bluff around 8 a.m. Tuesday. One rescuer was treated at a hospital for mild hypothermia.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.