Tourist suffers cardiac arrest at remote site in Smoky Mountains, rescuers say

In a worst-cast hiking scenario, a visitor at Great Smoky Mountains National went into cardiac arrest in a remote area near the Appalachian Trail, according to rescuers.

It happened Wednesday, April 1, along the North Carolina-Tennessee state line, and a military helicopter was required for rescue, officials say.

The person’s identity and condition have not been released.

“The Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified of a park visitor having a medical emergency in need of immediate assistance and rapid transport to a nearby hospital,” the Army National Guard reported in an April 2 news release.

“The visitor was located near Dillons Gap along Kuwohi Road, which parallels the Appalachian Trail, in a remote area of the park southeast of Gatlinburg, along the North Carolina border.”

A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter was dispatched shorty after 3 p.m., and arrived at the rescue site 15 minutes later, officials said.

The patient was then flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville “while first aid continued throughout the flight,” officials said.

Rescuers did not report whether the person was hiking the Appalachian Trail or visiting Dillons Gap by vehicle.

Park rangers have responded “to an increased number of emergencies” in recent weeks, according to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

In March, 18 backcountry search and rescue incidents were reported, including two Tennessee Army National Guard hoist extractions and four technical rope rescues, park officials said in an April 2 news release.

“Just recently, rangers have provided life‑saving care multiple times — including (April 1), when rangers successfully resuscitated a patient on Kuwohi,” the park says.

“Hiking in the Smokies carries inherent risks, and trail conditions can change quickly due to natural forces. Be prepared for swollen streams, washed‑out bridges, downed trees and erosion. If conditions feel unsafe or a hike becomes more difficult than expected, turn back.”

Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers the 522,427 acres along the North Carolina-Tennessee state line, and the Alum Cave Trail is on the Tennessee side, maps show.

This story was originally published April 3, 2026 at 7:14 AM with the headline "Tourist suffers cardiac arrest at remote site in Smoky Mountains, rescuers say."