National Park Service officials on Friday identified two people who were killed in separate incidents of trees falling in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Ralph Frazier, 50, of Buford, GA died when a tree fell on him as he drove his motorcycle just east of the Townsend Wye, said Smokies Chief Ranger Clayton Jordan.
Rachael Burkhart, 41, of Corryton died after a tree fell on her while she was getting out of a swimming hole at Abrams Creek.
Three other members of a family were injured by the same falling tree at the swimming hole.
A 7-year-old child was trapped underwater for some time by the tree, Jordan said. She was successfully resuscitated by CPR.
The child's father was also severely injured. Both of them were transported to UT Medical Center by Lifestar helicopter.
The child's mother sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by ground to the hospital.
Following the storms, rangers said hundreds of campers and drivers were trapped on roads and trails in the park.
Jordan described three medical emergencies in Cades Cove. One involved a man who was injured by a falling tree, another motorist was injured when a falling tree sent shattered windshield glass into the car, and crews also responded to a cardiac emergency.
Rangers said everyone had been accounted for among the people whom they were aware of in the park.
Crews were making arrangements to get trapped and damaged vehicles out of the park.
Cades Cove Campground will remain closed through Sunday evening, Jordan said. Rangers were assessing the closed Look Rock and Abrams Creek campgrounds Friday.
Little River Road was closed from Elkmont to the Townsend Wye. Little Creek Road was also closed.
Jordan said Thursday's storm was the worst event of its kind for many years in the park. Only the Blizzard of '93 was comparable as far as the scope of the damage, Jordan said.
Previous story:
Officials at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park confirmed two people died during Thursday's storms.
The storm swept through the park at 6:00, causing significant damage from fallen tree limbs in several areas including Metcalf Bottoms, Cades Cove, and Abrams Creek. Emergency responders are still checking into multiple injuries across the region.
Park officials say one male died in a motorcycle accident just east of the Townsend Wye. A 41-year-old female in Abrams Creek also died after a tree limb fell on her.
Authorities have identified both victims and are notifying next of kin.
Crews are currently responding to three injuries and one cardiac incident in Cades Cove.
There were three additional injuries in Abrams Creek. Emergency responders transported two of those victims to the hospital by helicopter. The other took an ambulance.
Officials are also reporting many trees down on Little River Road and Laurel Creek Road. One lane is open on both roads.
National Park Service crews have swept all roads in storm-damaged areas to look for stranded motorists who need medical attention.
Blount County crews are helping National Park Service crews. They are working to assess the damage and evacuate individuals who need medical attention from the park.
Rangers say they will continue to work throughout the night to clear roads and make sure all visitors and staff are safe and accounted for.
Original Story
A rescue operation is underway on the Abrams Falls trail in Blount County.
Dispatchers have told us several people were trapped on the trail, and Rural Metro tells a 10News crew it was due to severe weather.
They tell us an operation has been underway to rescue the campers for the past few hours.
Two campers have been brought out, and two others remain trapped.
A releases from a Smokies person says "there are unconfirmed fatalities."
An incident command post is being set up in Townsend.
Stay with Channel 10 and wbir.com for the latest information as this story develops.