A quiet Thursday at Fort Dickerson Park took a grim turn when a body was discovered at Fort Dickerson Quarry in South Knoxville, the Knoxville Fire Department confirmed. The find triggered an emergency response to the Augusta Quarry area, with Knoxville Police stepping in to lead the investigation as authorities held back most details.
According to WVLT, fire officials told the station that first responders located a body at the quarry on Thursday. The outlet reported that “additional information has not been released,” and confirmed that the Knoxville Police Department is handling the case.
Where It Happened
Augusta Quarry sits inside Fort Dickerson Park at 3000 Fort Dickerson Road, according to the City of Knoxville's parks page. The city lists the quarry and its overlook as part of a 91-acre park with trails and limited parking, and notes that some access points to the quarry have been under construction in recent months. The park’s page also offers maps and visitor guidance for the greenway and quarry area, for those trying to navigate the popular but sometimes tricky spot.
Quarry Dangers And Past Incidents
The Augusta Quarry has been the scene of previous recoveries and drowning searches in recent years. In 2020, crews conducted a search that ended with the recovery of a drowning victim, coverage that WVLT noted as a stark reminder of the hazards posed by deep, cold quarry water. City rules for Fort Dickerson Park emphasize safety and spell out prohibited activities and park hours in an effort to keep visitors on the right side of both the law and common sense.
Knoxville Police have not released the identity of the person found or a cause of death. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Knoxville Police Department, and Hoodline will update this post as officials release more details.
