Tour fan loses life
Arkansas man tied to Fannin Hospital
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

An Arkansas man died last week, after succumbing to injuries from a bicycle accident that occurred on Brasstown Bald Mountain during Stage 5 of Tour de Georgia.

Thomas Kinnebrew, 53, died Wednesday, April 25, according to officials at Helena Regional Medical Center in Helena, Ark. Kinnebrew had been serving as the hospital's Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Kinnebrew had ties to northeast Georgia, as he previously served as an assistant administrator at Fannin Regional Hospital in Fannin County.

His accident reportedly occurred when he hit a rock embankment while attempting to descend Brasstown Bald, the highest peak in Georgia.

EMS personnel from both Union and Towns counties responded to the scene and used CPR to regain a pulse from Kinnebrew. He was loaded into a Rescue Air Helicopter and transported to North Fulton Regional Hospital.

Although he was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, he sustained serious injuries to his head and spine, resulting in him being paralyzed from the waist down.

Asecretary who once worked for Kinnebrew told the Union Sentinel that he was an avid cyclist and returned to Georgia for the Tour each year.

Following the accident, internet cycling forums were inundated with questions about his condition. After his death, some who knew him responded to those who had shown so much concern for a fellow fan.

"I am sorry to say that he was pronounced brain dead and removed from life support after his organs were [donated,]" one user on the atlbike. org forum stated. "He is a friend of ours and great family man, leaving a wife and two children. [He was] a very low key, caring person that will be missed."