It was over 30 hours before Kevin Diepenbrock (insert) was rescued after wrecking on Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee.
How Dangerous Is the Tail of the Dragon? Ask This Survivor
It’s a winding stretch of highway in Blount County, Tennessee. The Dragon, also known as Tail of the Dragon, is a small 11-mile section of Interstate 129, an auxiliary route that spans more than four states. And it’s deadly.
In just 11 miles of two-lane highway, The Dragon weaves tirelessly through along the border of the Smoky Mountains. There are 318 curves in all, with names as fearsome as Copperhead Corner, Gravity Cavity, and Wheelie Hell. Its twists and turns make it a popular destination among bikers and car enthusiasts. But all too often, the trip down the Dragon’s Tail has devastating consequences.
Wreckage on The Dragon
One such tale is of Kevin Diepenbrock. He and his friend, Phil Polito were cruising their bikes through the slalom course of turns. Around mile marker number three, Phil had to slam on his brakes. Kevin also hit the binders, but his 2015 BMW motorcycle careened into the back of Phil’s 2016 Victory Cruiser. The collision sent both men off the embankment, hurtling around 100 feet off the road.
Kevin lay suffering in agony for endless hours with no one aware he and his friend had crashed off the road. Unable to move and with no cell signal, his only chance for survival was his weakened yells from down below The Dragon.
It took nearly 30 hours before Kevin’s rescue. Simply by blind luck, or divine intervention according to Kevin, his rescuer heard his cries for help. Emergency crews came quickly to get him to the hospital, but getting Kevin back to safety was no easy feat in the steep terrain. Countless trips up and down by responders carrying medical supplies and rescue equipment finally stabilized Kevin for transport.
Wheelscene’s Dave Gackstetter was out on a ride, venturing the same road and happened to come across the scene during the rescue. (See feature image)
Kevin’s riding pal wasn’t so lucky. Phil perished in the accident, a fact Kevin only learned when the first responders arrived. Now, Kevin is recovering from his injuries, considering himself fortunate that The Dragon didn’t take his life as well.
Can You Tame The Dragon?
So just how dangerous is The Dragon? All it’s missing is the fire. Each year, emergency crews respond to around 30 calls of people just like Kevin and Phil.
The speed limit was 55 miles per hour, along the 11-mile stretch, until 1992. Lawmakers then revised the speed limit along the treacherous road, dropping the top speed to just 30 miles per hour. Even traffic enforcement has increased dramatically. Yet, every year, the same length of highway sucks in enthusiasts who want the thrill of conquering The Dragon.
