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National Park Service Employee Killed In Collision With Van At Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

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Published Date

August 23, 2016

A 27-year-old National Park Service employee was killed at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Kentucky when the riding lawn mower he was on collided with a van in the park.

A release from Park Service's Southeast Regional office said Berlin "Forest" Howard III tied about 11 a.m. Monday. There were no reports of injuries sustained by the two park visitors who were passengers in the van.

Mr. Howard was pronounced dead at 12:35 p.m., at the Middlesboro ARH Hospital by the Bell County Coroner’s office.

The accident is under investigation by a National Park Service Serious Accident Investigation Team, dispatched by the Southeast Regional Office, and the Bell County Coroner’s Office. Additional counseling resources have been sent to the park to assist employees.

“Forest always had a smile on his face and was willing to help anyone, at any time. He was wonderful to be around, and visitors and park employees gravitated toward him. He will be sadly missed by the entire park team,” said Cumberland Gap Superintendent Sula Jacobs.

Howard leaves behind a fiancé and two young children under the age of two.

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