A 13-year-old boy died on Saturday in a tragic accident at Buffalo National River. The teen was hiking with a friend in the northern Arkansas park when he slipped on loose gravel and fell around 200 feet.
The incident took place around 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 18. The victim, Kayleb Lynn Eddings, was a local to the area of Searcy County where part of Buffalo National River is located. His father, Toby Eddings, was the first to respond to the scene where he found his son below the bluff.
National Park emergency responders, local fire departments from Marshall and Harrison, Survival Flight, and volunteers from the Buffalo National River Search and Rescue team arrived shortly after. Firefighters rapelled 260 feet down the bluff where they found Eddings already unresponsive.
Staff Send Condolences
In a Facebook post, Buffalo National River park superintendent Angela Boyers extended her condolences to the grieving family. “We also thank the responders from the local communities that showed up to assist with this incident,” it reads.
“The terrain in Buffalo National River can be rugged and steep,” the post concludes, “while enjoying an overlook, please stay a safe distance from the edge.” National Park service continues to investigate.
Family Mourns Tragedy
In an online obituary, Eddings’s family shared touching personal information about their late son. “While there are many words to describe Kayleb, the most accurate and profound word is LOVE,” it reads, “There are no words to express the deafening quiet that has filled the space where Kayleb’s voice once reverberated.”
The family hosted an open celebration of life at the St. Joe School Gymnasium for friends and loved ones to remember the 13 year old. He is survived by his parents and his three brothers: Kole, Everett, and Elijah “Bean.”
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