Arkansas father finds 13-year-old son dead after 200-foot fall at Brewer Bluff

A Saturday morning hike turned into heartbreak for an Arkansas family when 13-year-old Kayleb Lynn Eddings fell 200 feet from Brewer Bluff near the Buffalo National River. The Searcy County Sheriff’s Office confirmed receiving a report around 11 a.m. of a boy who had fallen from the cliff.

According to a statement shared by the National Park Service and local authorities, first responders from multiple agencies—including the Harrison Fire Department and Buffalo National River park rangers—rushed to the scene to search for the missing teen. Firefighters rappelled 260 feet down the bluff while rangers approached from the river below in a coordinated rescue effort.

Despite their quick response, the outcome was devastating. It was Kayleb’s father, Tony Eddings, who discovered his son’s body at the base of the cliff.

“Buffalo National River staff and I send our condolences to this young man’s family,” said park superintendent Angela Boyers, in a statement reported by the New York Post. “We also thank the responders from the local communities that showed up to assist with this incident.”

Authorities confirmed that Kayleb lost his footing while hiking with a friend along the bluff’s edge, resulting in the fatal fall. The Searcy County Sheriff’s Office later shared a Facebook post confirming details of the recovery effort and offering condolences to the family.

Search and Recovery

Emergency crews worked for hours to recover the young boy’s body from the steep terrain. The Searcy County Sheriff’s Office and National Park Service coordinated the operation, later sharing that the scene was “incredibly difficult to access.”

Local residents familiar with the area describe Brewer Bluff as a beautiful but risky overlook, especially after rainfall when paths can become slick. The Buffalo National River, a popular hiking and kayaking destination, attracts thousands each year—but park officials continually remind visitors of the importance of caution near cliffs and riverbanks.

In his obituary, shared by Coffman Funeral Home, Kayleb’s family wrote that he was “loved by everyone who had the fortune to meet him.”

He was remembered as a boy who loved collecting Hot Wheels with his dad, hunting with his grandfather, and playfully “aggravating” his two younger brothers. His family described him as joyful, curious, and deeply connected to his mother.

“There are no words to express the deafening quiet that has filled the space where Kayleb’s voice once reverberated,” the obituary read. “While that space will never be filled, one can find comfort in the whispering of the wind, the flutter of a butterfly, the beauty of a buck, and most of all, the eternal presence of God.”

The Buffalo National River community has expressed condolences online, with several families posting prayers and tributes to social media.

As the investigation concludes, the Eddings family continues to mourn a boy who loved the outdoors and found joy in life’s smallest adventures.

Flowers and small mementos have been placed near the trailhead at Brewer Bluff — quiet symbols of love for a 13-year-old who will never be forgotten.

“Flowers now mark the edge of Brewer Bluff — small reminders of a boy who once loved the climb.”