KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Ijams Nature Center closed Mead's Quarry Lake for the foreseeable future after part of the rock face gave way late Saturday afternoon, sending a large wave of churning water to the shore that shocked onlookers and swept away some of their belongings.
"Mead's Quarry Lake and Tharp Trace Trail are closed due to a significant landslide on the back wall of the Quarry Lake late Saturday afternoon," the nature preserve said. "Ijams needs to have the area assessed to determine stability and safety before reopening the lake and Tharp Trace Trail, which runs adjacent to the area of the landslide."
People were on the opposite shore Saturday afternoon enjoying the day out when rocks began tumbling from the steep rockface across the water. What started as a small amount of rocks falling into the water suddenly became a complete collapse, a video posted by witnesses shows.
The collapse sent a wave of water toward those on the opposite shore, sweeping away the belongings of some.
Gaby Hurtado-Ramos and Chelsie Nunn were both at the quarry when the rocks began to fall.
"At first we were just swimming, people around us thought someone was throwing rocks from the top of the cliff," Hurtado-Ramos said. "It took me a bit to notice that it was super frequent and super huge rocks. There's no way someone is just throwing those. It was very loud and startling."
The exact moment they began to feel unsafe was the moment the rocks began to fall, said Nunn. They were both standing on the shore having just gotten out of the water when the biggest section of the wall began to fall.
"The wave was just massive and came all the way out of the quarry up the trail," Nunn said.
According to Knoxville Fire Department Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks, when crews arrived at the scene, they were told that everyone had made it out of the water and no one was in need of rescue. However, Wilbanks said one person did want to be seen at a local hospital and was transported by AMR.
Hurtado-Ramos said they did not receive any injuries themselves as they did their best to stay up the slope of the trail, attempting to avoid the sweeping current that had already dragged multiple people into the water.
"I was preoccupied with saving my dog who luckily had on a lifejacket but certainly couldn't withstand the force of the current that was so strong that it ripped my foot out of my Chaco that was fully strapped," Nunn said. "The wave crashed and knocked my dog and I down. The suction was so strong that it was pulling us back down the gravel path. Then a second wave came and pushed us back up."
Nunn said they sustained minor injuries all over their body after the waves knocked them down, with one person getting a massive cut to their head and another with a gash to his foot.
"People were shocked and they were looking for each other," Nunn said. "Everyone was trying to call first responders but no one had a phone because they had all been swept away, except Gaby, luckily."
Despite the terrifying situation, Nunn said they would definitely go back if it was to reopen, but recommended that visitors have a first aid kit or a flotation device on standby even if they are strong swimmers.
"I think there are a lot of people who are probably very traumatized by this event because I think people who aren't strong swimmers typically trust the calm waters of the quarry," Nunn said.
Hurtado-Ramos added that it felt like a lot more than just a few rocks falling off the wall.
"The whole side of the cliff collapsed," they said. "The waves were super fast and there was such a short time for reaction that it was pretty intense and pretty scary.
Nunn also said that videos don't do the rockslide justice, and wanted to emphasize that many people were scared for their lives after massive waves began to pull people into the water.
"Many people legitimately felt like they were going to drown," Nunn said.
Until the lake and trail reopen, Ijams said in its Instagram posting that all visitors must obey warning signs and stay away.
"All other trails are open for hiking and biking. Please respect the posted warning signs and avoid the lake and Tharp Trace until they are officially reopened. Thank you for your patience and assistance in keeping everyone safe."