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Georgia Man Slips Into Abrams Creek, Drowns At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Published Date

April 29, 2016
Abrams Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park/NPS

A Georgia man drowned after falling into Abrams Creek near Abrams Falls/NPS

A Georgia man hiking with friends slipped and fell into Abrams Creek and drowned at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Park officials said  59 year-old male, Jitendra Patel, of Roswell, Georgia, reportedly slipped into the creek near Abrams Falls a little after noon Thursday. 

"Patel was last observed at the water's surface at approximately 12:15 p.m. after friends attempted to pull him from the water," a park release said. "Park rangers arrived at the scene at 2:08 p.m, but were unable to locate Patel."

Park rangers and the Blount Special Operations Response Team recovered the man's body shortly before 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

The 2.5-mile hike to Abrams Falls begins from the Abrams Falls Trailhead, located at the far western end of Cades Cove.

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