Smokies Hiker Dies after Medical Emergency on Alum Cave Trail

A man suffered a medical emergency and died while hiking Alum Cave Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Saturday.

Park Rangers responded to a report of man in cardiac distress on Alum Cave Trail just before 10 a.m. on July 15, 2017.

A hiker identified as 47-year-old Phillip Basset Davenport, from Nashville, was hiking down the Alum Cave Trail from Mt. Le Conte with a group of friends after staying the previous night at LeConte Lodge. He suddenly passed out three miles from the trailhead and bystanders administered CPR while park medics responded. Davenport passed away at approximately 11:14 a.m.

Park Rangers carried Davenport off the trail and the Gatlinburg Fire Department transported him to LeConte Medical Center in Sevierville.