The parents of a two-year old Lyon County boy who drowned at Cummins Falls State Park last month have filed a claim seeking damages from the state of Tennessee.
According to media reports, Steven Pierce, the son of Anna and Curtis Pierce of Eddyville, was swept away by floodwaters at the park on Sunday afternoon, June 9th. The floodwaters ripped the boy from his father’s arms, and the father was able to grab a log and pull himself out. The two-year old’s body was found the next day less than a half a mile downstream in Blackburn Fork River from where he was last seen. The park manager said the park had been closed Friday and Saturday due to floodwaters but had reopened Sunday. Later that day, he stated water flooded the gorge, causing the water to rise in just a few minutes.
The Tennessean reports an attorney representing the parents said the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation was negligent in not having made Cummins Falls State Park safer and they are seeking $900,000 in damages.
The article says the claim filed Friday says the park should not have been open to visitors because it was closed in preceding days due to heavy rain and possible flooding. The state has 90 days to approve or deny the claim.
