Chris Kenning

@ckenning_cj

An 11-year-old Louisville Boy Scout who was camping at Red River Gorge died Saturday night when a tree fell on his tent, authorities and scouting officials said Sunday.

Wolfe County Search & Rescue said it responded Saturday night at 8:38 p.m. to Rough Trail, near Chimney Top Road, to where the boy was camping at a backcountry site with roughly 20 boys from his troop from Louisville.

Clint Scharff, deputy scout executive of the Lincoln Heritage Council Boys Scouts in Louisville confirmed in an email that the victim was Jack Rose of Troop 30. The roughly 60-student troop is located out of The Temple, a synagogue in Louisville on U.S. 42., and recently celebrated its 100th anniversary,

Wolfe County officials said in a statement that "a dead standing snag, about 18 inches in diameter, fell and landed on his tent with him inside of it, striking him in the head. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was attempted, performed both by a pair of doctors who were camping nearby and by responding SAR personnel. However, those attempts were unsuccessful, the boy died immediately upon being impacted by the tree."

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Dan Sturtzel, a Troop 30 scoutmaster who was on the trip but returned before the incident, said in an interview Sunday that about 25 boys ranging in ages from 11 to 18 were on the camping weekend. Most of them went on an overnight backpacking trip Saturday night, but a few younger ones stayed behind. Sturtzel said the weather was mild with little wind, making the incident even more "inconceivable."

In an explanation to parents on Sunday at The Temple, scout officials said scouts and adult leaders had just finished dinner, and some scouts had gone to bed when the tree fell on a tent occupied by Rose, who attended Noe Middle School. He was alone in his tent at the time.

After the tree fell, two scouts sprinted down the trail to another series of campsites occupied by another scout troop. Two physician adult leaders from that troop responded and assisted with first aid, scout officials told parents. Rose was pronounced dead around 9:45 p.m. by an official from the coroner’s office at the campsite and his body, tent and gear were transported from the campsite.

Rose’ father was an adult leader on the trek and assisted his son as first aid was applied and his remains were escorted out. No other scouts were injured.

"They got help as quickly as they could, but there was nothing they could do," said Sturtzel said.

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Red River Gorge is a popular geologic area 133 miles east of Louisville whose cliffs, trails and formations that draw climbers and campers.

Scharff said the Scouts would offer grief counseling to youth members and volunteers given the impact the incident may have on those present for the outing. On Monday, the troop told parents that a doctor would be available for grief counseling Monday night at The Temple at 7:00 p.m.

Boy Scout officials declined to discuss the incident in more detail Monday, but said they were working to care for the family.

"We will do everything we can to support the Rose family, and we ask that you respect the privacy of the families and all those involved during this difficult time," Scharff said.

Reporter Chris Kenning can be reached at ckenning@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4697.