TN WOMAN DIES AFTER JUMPING FROM CHAIRLIFT AT ANAKEESTA THEME PARK
GATLINBURG, Tenn — A woman died at Anakeesta on Thursday after jumping from a chairlift, according to Gatlinburg officials.
The Gatlinburg Fire and Rescue Department responded to the theme park around 7:41 p.m. regarding an incident on the park’s chairlift, city officials said.
When crews arrived, they found a woman on the ground under the chairlift. She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to city officials.
“A tragic incident occurred [Thursday] evening. 911 was called immediately. Our hearts are with the family of the deceased,” Anakeesta Vice President of Marketing and Sale Michele Canney said in a statement to 10News.
On Friday, the Gatlinburg Police Department said it appeared the incident was a suicide after talking with witnesses who said they saw the woman jump from the chairlift. Police said the woman was a 40-year-old from La Vergne, Tennessee, saying detectives contacted her family.
The incident remains under investigation.
Anakeesta released a statement about the incident Friday afternoon. It said it operated the chairlift after the incident was initially reported to allow guests who were on it to exit. It then shut the lift down for “an abundance of safety to investigate the incident.” Anakeesta said it then used the transportation fleet to take guests to the exit at the mountaintop.
