A heart-wrenching incident occurred on September 23, 2023, when a 61-year-old woman lost her life after a devastating fall from a 150-foot precipice on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, as reported by the National Park Service.
The victim, identified as Nancy Sampson from South Carolina, met her unfortunate demise due to injuries sustained in her fall at the Glassmine Falls Overlook, according to the official news release.
The fateful event unfolded when emergency dispatch operators received a distress call shortly after noon on that Saturday, alerting them to the female individual’s fall from the cliff. In response, NPS law enforcement rangers swiftly arrived at the scene and tragically confirmed the untimely passing of Nancy Sampson.
Rescue efforts were initiated to recover Sampson’s body, located approximately 150 feet below the overlook. The skilled responders from the Reems Creek Fire Department, aided by Mount Mitchell State Park rangers and a compassionate volunteer from the Trauma Intervention Program of Western North Carolina, conducted a challenging operation. Remarkably, they rappelled over 100 feet down to the location of the hiker, who had unfortunately succumbed to her injuries.
During this distressing incident, a family member present at the scene was reported as “distraught” by the Trauma Intervention Program of Western North Carolina, which was providing support. This organization, known for its invaluable assistance during difficult situations, shared that the distraught family member hailed from out of state and was left alone following the tragic occurrence. The TIP volunteer went above and beyond their duty by providing support on-site and assisting the grieving family member in safely descending the mountain. Furthermore, they helped connect him with friends who could offer solace and support in the aftermath of this devastating loss.
The Glassmine Falls Overlook, the site of this heartbreaking incident, is situated approximately 25 miles northeast of Asheville, North Carolina. It is positioned just three miles north of the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center and six miles south of the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park.
The Blue Ridge Parkway itself winds its way through some of the Eastern United States’ loftiest peaks, stretching 469 miles from its origin at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, passing through Asheville, and concluding at the entrance to the Great Smokies in Cherokee. Renowned as the most visited unit within the National Park Service, the parkway hosted approximately 15.7 million visitors in the year 2022.
