UPDATE: Body of Illinois man who fell into water at Great Smoky Mountains recovered

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WJHL) – The body of an Illinois man who fell into water at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was recovered on Tuesday.

According to a release from GSMNP, Yogesh Patel, 25, of Oak Forest, Illinois was found at 12:09 p.m. Tuesday.

The release says Patel was found in 18 feet of water in Midnight Hole by rescue divers.

He was removed from the water by emergency personnel just before 1 p.m.

Patel was reported missing after he reportedly fell into the water and began struggling on Monday evening at the Midnight Hole.

Park officials says bystanders tried to pull him out of the water but were unable to do so.

The release says the following agencies assisted in the recovery operation and investigation:

• Haywood Country Emergency Management Agency
• Haywood County Rescue Squad
• Haywood County Sheriff’s Office
• Haywood County Emergency Medical Services
• Fines Creek Fire Department
• Jonathan Creek Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad
• Clyde Fire Department
• Newport Rescue Squad
• Center Pigeon Fire and Rescue
• Henderson County Rescue Squad and Dive Team
• Asheville Rescue Squad and Dive Team
• Cherokee Tribal Medical Examiner’s Office

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials and other agencies are searching for an Illinois man who has gone missing after reportedly falling into water.

According to a release from GSMNP, Yogesh Patel, 25, was reported missing at 7:36 a.m. on Monday, September 14.

Patel, of Oak Forest, Illinois, had reportedly fallen into the water at Midnight Hole, where he was seen struggling.

The release says bystanders tried to pull him from the water but were unable to get him out.

GSMNP reports rangers and rescue personnel arrived around 8 p.m. and started searching for Patel but were hindered by the darkness.

As of Tuesday morning, the search is ongoing.

The release says no closures are in effect due to the search.