Tragedy struck Whitley County on Independence Day as authorities were called to investigate a death at Cumberland Falls State Park and the drowning of a toddler in central Whitley County Friday evening.
Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley pronounced Donnesha Scott, 36, of Henderson, dead about 7 p.m. Friday. The body is being sent to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
Croley said that pending autopsy results, no foul play is suspected.
Scott was down at Cumberland Falls with friends Friday.
“We was hiking below the Falls and had a medical emergency. The volunteer fire department was called along with EMS and park rangers. She was carried out approximately two miles,” Croley said.
Woodbine Fire and Rescue, Whitley County Emergency Management Director Jerry Rains, Whitley County EMS, Kentucky State Police, park rangers and various McCreary County units all responded.
A short time later, Croley responded to another death investigation involving a 16-month-old male that had apparently drown in the family pool behind his home.
The incident happened off Jr. Rowland Road, which is in the Hole in the Wall area off Exit 15.
The Williamsburg Police Department initially responded and administered CPR until Whitley County EMS arrived.
Croley pronounced the child dead at 8:45 p.m.
The pool was about four feet high with a ladder going into it.
Authorities aren’t sure what happened yet.
“At this point, it is just an ongoing investigation,” Croley said. “There was no obvious signs of any trauma besides apparently drowning.”
The body was sent for autopsy to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office.
Kentucky State Police Detective Logan Gay is conducting the investigation.
The identity of the child is being withheld pending death notifications to family members.
