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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - March 12 2003 : 05:46:04 AM
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Wiseman's View ... toward the northern end of Linville Gorge ... offers one of the better views of the Gorge. For the unitiated, Linville Gorge, and vicinity, is seen throughout The Last of the Mohicans ... for well over one-third of the film [The Escort, The Ambush, Lake George & Fort William Henry, The Final Scene ... plus, parts of Canoes & Under the Falls!]
Death, it seems, often comes to areas of rugged beauty ... this one, a little more personal. Ken Pate, father of the deceased, coached my son, Chris, and is a terrific guy.
Mar 11, 2003
Man dies in fall
By SHARON McBRAYER
Media General News Service
LINVILLE GORGE - A Marion man died Sunday night after he fell off of a ledge near Wiseman's View in northern Burke County.
Ken Anthony, operations officer with Burke County Emergency Management Services, said Zachary McIntosh Pate, 22, of 40 State St., Marion, had been hiking with family and friends when he got too close to the edge. Anthony said Pate fell about 200 feet.
Pate died at the scene.
The accident occurred around 11 p.m. Sunday and Anthony said Pate was not carrying a flashlight. The area where Pate and his family and friends were hiking did not have any railings.
It took rescue workers about six hours to reach Pate and transport him to the hospital.
"What really made it slow was it was dark and the steep terrain," Anthony said. "We took every precaution."
Along with Burke EMS, Burke County Special Operations unit, the Oak Hill Fire and Rescue, Jonas Ridge Fire Department, Burke County Rescue and the Burke County Sheriff's Office responded to the accident.
Pate was a senior at North Carolina State University. He was born in McDowell County on May 20, 1980 and was the son of Kenneth E. Pate, of the home, and Kaye McIntosh of Marathon, Fla.
Pate's death is the latest at an area which has seen its share over the years.
Anthony said over the last couple of years, he has responded to about four deaths in the area caused by falls.
"Some may think that's low, but it's not. It's really kind of high," Anthony said.
With warmer weather coming, Anthony said, he expects the number of visitors is bound to grow, as well as the number of calls for help.
Anthony has safety tips for visitors who want to take in the majestic beauty of the gorge.
He said visitors should honor the safety factors - safety railings and designated footpaths - in areas such as Wiseman's View.
"Think smarter, not harder," Anthony said. "Travel only in the areas designated for civilian traffic."
Anthony said Pate was outside of the designated area and there were no safety railings to prevent his fall.
Services for Pate will be 3 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Westmoreland Funeral Home in Marion with Rev. Jay Springer officiating.
The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in McDowell Memorial Park.
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Doc M
Great Quack Healer of the Frontier
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
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Posted - March 12 2003 : 09:53:20 AM
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So sorry to hear this, Rich. I know in even going on the
Cliff Trail at Chimney Rock, which is about as "civilized"
as cliff walking gets, there were still so many spots
where if you got too close to the edge, that's all she
wrote. And it always amazed me to see people galumphing
along the trails with clogs, beach sandals--and once I
even saw a lady in pumps with heels! I mean...DUH.
It ain't Disneyland, folks!
Doc M |
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Death at Wiseman's View
