At approximately 5:18 pm, Deputies from the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call of two people who had fallen off a bluff near the Bidwell Point Park on Lake Norfork.  Bidwell Park is located just north of the Hwy 101 Bridge. First responders from the Gamaliel Fire Department along with ambulance personnel from Baxter Regional Medical Center responded to the scene.

Due to the severe injuries to the two subjects and to the remote location, both subjects were transported by the Gamaliel Fire Department Rescue Boat to a nearby location.  Two helicopters from Air Evac Lifeteam responded and airlifted the two subjects to Mercy Hospital (Saint Johns) in Springfield. The injuries appeared severe. 

The two victims were identified as Vernon Carl Henson, age 44 of Mountain Home and Elaine Renee Royer, age 49 of Mountain Home.  Their condition is not known at the time of this release.

Initial investigation, including accounts from eye witnesses, indicates the two subjects were going to jump from the bluff into Lake Norfork.  It appears that both subjects fell approximately 35 feet and were found about 12 feet from the water’s edge.

The exact details of incident are not being released at this time, pending further investigation.

Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Corp Rangers and the Arkansas State Police.

Sheriff John Montgomery