Update: New Hampshire man dies after falling off Grandfather Mountain cliff
A man died at Grandfather Mountain, seemingly after he fell off an overlook.
An emergency call reporting a missing person was dispatched from the mountain around 10 a.m. Oct. 23, according to a news release from the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. The missing person had last been seen at one of the park’s overlooks.
“After a search, rescue crews located a deceased adult male at the base of a cliff and recovered the body,” a news release from the foundation says. “According to the Avery County Sherriff’s Office, the incident appears to be an accidental fall that resulted in a fatality. Authorities added that, at this time, nothing indicates anything other than an accident and investigations are ongoing.”
The 53-year-old man who died was Todd Buckman from Troy, New Hampshire, Avery County Sheriff Mike Henley said.
"He was up there visiting the mountain, and there was one other person with him, who was his sister," Henley said. "She was not with him at the time of the fall (from) what we can determine."
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Responders found a backpack, giving an idea of where Buckman might be, Henley said. They found him shortly after.
"We came and processed the scene, did everything from an investigative standpoint," he said. "When we're conducting our investigation, we look at all potential possibilities. The only thing that we were able to determine so far is that he fell from this rock cliff about 100, 150 feet, and it resulted in his death."
The investigation is ongoing, but all evidence currently points to an accident, Henley said.
Responding personnel included Linville-Central Search and Rescue, Linville Volunteer Fire Department, Avery County Emergency Management, Watauga County Emergency Services, Avery County Sherriff’s Office, Grandfather Mountain State Park and Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation staff, the release says.
“The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is deeply saddened by today’s incident and extends thoughts and prayers to all those affected,” the foundation said in a statement.
Grandfather Mountain is about 70 miles north of Asheville. A popular destination for hikers and other travelers, it is home to the Mile High Swinging Bridge.
Ryan Oehrli is the Public Safety Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Send tips to coehrli@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Man on Grandfather Mountain overlook falls, dies; sheriff releases ID
