POWELL COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) — A hiker has died after a fall in the Red River Gorge area.

The coroner has identified that person as 24-year-old Cameron Smoot of Mason, Ohio.

According to Powell County Search & Rescue, emergency crews were called to Whittleton Arch around 4 p.m. Saturday following reports that someone had fallen approximately 40 feet from the top of the arch onto the rocks below.

Officials say Smoot was alert but critically injured when first responders reached him.

After a challenging carry-out through rugged terrain, Smoot was transported to the Middlefork Fire Department and flown to UK Hospital by helicopter. He later died from his injuries.

The coroner says Smoot’s death is being investigated as an accident.

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