SO SAD: in smokey mountain a family found victim in a car crash why traveling for christmas….

When Patrick Bowen, president of Bowen National Research, presented a housing needs assessment to the Macon County’s board of commissioners earlier this month, there was one thing he kept coming back to. 

A man found dead in the Hazel Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park last September likely died due to a bear attack, making Patrick Madura’s death the second bear-related fatality in the park’s history. A man found dead in the Hazel Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park last September likely died due to a bear attack, making Patrick Madura’s death the second bear-related fatality in the park’s history. 

A 75-year-old woman was rescued by a Marysville family after a rollover car crash into a canal Monday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Around 12:20 p.m., Robbie Carpenter was involved in a rollover crash into an irrigation canal on Larkin Road, north of Paseo Road. CHP said there was about 2 feet of water in the canal from the previous rain storms. Carpenter’s vehicle landed upside down and left her head submerged in the water.

Cyle Johnson, 28, his wife, Ashley Martin, 27, of Marysville, and their 6-year-old daughter were visiting a residence on Larkin Road. Their daughter was playing in front of the house, saw the crash, and ran inside to tell her parents, according to CHP. Johnson ran out front, jumped the front fence, and into the canal. Martin also ran outside to assist.

Police said the couple found Carpenter who was unresponsive, in her seatbelt, and head still submerged in water. Johnson reached into the vehicle, unlocked the door, and forced the door open. An unknown passerby stopped to assist and provided a knife to cut the seat belt. CHP said they pulled Carpenter to safety and stayed with her until emergency personnel arrived.

Carpenter was transported to Adventist Health and Rideout with minor injuries.

“Had it not been for the heroic actions of Cyle, Ashley, and their daughter, this would have been a much different outcome,” CHP said. “We applaud the life-saving actions demonstrated by this family!”