The search for Boone McCrary, a 32-year-old Greeneville man who was reported missing after a boating accident, has concluded with the recovery of his body from a creek leading into the Nolichucky River, as reported by WATE. McCrary, initially missing after his boat capsized near Bird's Bridge during a period of historic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, was found near W. Allen's Bridge Road yesterday around 2 p.m. by a search team.
The unfortunate incident unfolded after McCrary, a female occupant, and a Labrador Retriever launched a boat into the turbulent Nolichucky River last Friday. The boat was tragically swept into the bridge and overturned. The woman was rescued, but McCrary and his dog were not so fortunate. According to the WBIR, they were swept downstream in the river's violent current.
Family members indicated that McCrary had ventured onto the water to assist others in need amidst the chaos of the floods, a pursuit joined on Tuesday by community members in search — including one individual who didn't know McCrary personally. "He was trying to help somebody above the Bird's Bridge area and he didn't realize that the water was rough. He's a great outdoorsman, and he's really the kind of fellow that would do anything to help somebody," a family member stated, according to WBIR in an interview.
While the search efforts for McCrary led to a sad conclusion, with wildlife officers also locating the bodies of the Labrador that did not survive, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency extended its prayers and condolences to McCrary’s family and loved ones and emphasized that the incident remains under investigation.
