Man dies after fall

A McCreary County man died from injuries sustained in a Friday evening fall in Stearns.

The McCreary County Sheriff’s Office reports Shawn Lawson, 47, died early Friday evening as a result of a fall while clearing brush near his residence on Tunnel Ridge Road.

According to the report filed by Deputy Odell Smith, neighbors stated Lawson had been using a chainsaw in the area when they heard it go silent around dusk. When searching the area his body was discovered and emergency services were alerted.

Members of the Whitley City Fire Department and McCreary County Search and Rescue were dispatched to assist in the rescue/recovery operation. McCreary County EMS was also on scene as CPR was attempted on the victim.

Deputy Smith determined Lawson apparently slipped and fell over a 30-foot cliff, then over a secondary cliff of about 20-feet before coming to rest.

Coroner Tim Corder’s initial ruling on the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.

Deputy Smith stated no indications of foul play was evident or discovered at the scene.