24-Year-Old Man Dies After Falling 40 Feet from Rock Formation

A 24-year-old man has died after he fell about 40 feet from a rock formation in Kentucky over Labor Day weekend, officials said.

The victim has been identified as Cameron Smoot from Mason, Ohio, according to a news release shared with PEOPLE from the Fayette County Coroner’s Office.

Powell County Search and Rescue was first dispatched to the scene in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge around 4 p.m. local time on Saturday, Aug. 30, along with Powell County Emergency Medical Services, the search and rescue agency said in a social media statement.

“Initial reports stated an individual had fallen an estimated 40 feet from the top of Whittleton Arch down to the rocks below,” Powell County Search and Rescue said.

“While alert and oriented, it became readily apparent the patient’s condition was critical. Personnel from Lee County Search & Rescue, Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department, and Kentucky State Parks arrived on scene to assist and expedite the carry out,” the agency continued.

Smoot was transported to Middlefork Fire Department and flown to a University of Kentucky hospital, where he later died from his injuries, Powell County Search and Rescue said.

They added, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”

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The coroner’s office confirmed Smoot died shortly after 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30.

His cause of death was listed as multiple blunt force injuries due to a fall from height, and officials are investigating his death as an accident.

Red River Gorge is located in Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest and “ranks among the top climbing and rappelling destinations in the world,” according to Kentucky’s tourism website.