Park Searching for Man Missing in Big Creek Area

Search teams are looking for a man last seen on Monday when he fell into the water at Midnight Hole along the Big Creek Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials and multiple emergency response agencies from Haywood County, N.C. are currently searching for 25-year-old male, Yogesh Patel, of Oak Forest, IL. Patel was reported missing at 7:36 p.m. on September 14, 2020 after he reportedly fell into the water at Midnight Hole and was observed struggling. Bystanders attempted to pull Patel from the water but were not successful.

Midnight Hole is located about 1.4 miles from the trailhead of Big Creek Trail and is a popular stop along the way to Mouse Creek Falls.

Rangers and rescue personnel arrived on scene at approximately 8 p.m. and began initial search operations, which were hindered by darkness. This morning, search efforts are ongoing. No closures are currently in affect. However, visitors may experience temporary closures as search operations continue to allow the rescue teams safe access to the area.

Update: Rescue divers recovered Patel’s body from about 18 feet of water in Midnight Hole shortly before 1 p.m. on September 15.