Two people were killed Sept. 21 in a three-vehicle collision on Newfound Gap Road/U.S. Closure includes all access to the road and Greenbrier area trails. On Saturday, July 31, Weaverville resident Shawn Emory, 38, was riding his motorcycle near Milepost 398 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, about 9 miles north of Mount Pisgah, when he lost control and overcorrected while traveling southbound in an uphill curve. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. In 1970 signs denoting US 441 were removed from that portion of the route which runs through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to discourage commercial vehicles (which are not allowed in the park). There have been 233 motor vehicle accidents in the Smokies so far this year, saidpark spokeswoman Jamie Sanders. All five occupants of the Cruz were transported to Leconte Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening. For current information about temporary closures, alerts or warnings related to roads, facilities, trails or the backcountry areas please use the "ON THIS PAGE" navigation bar below. The driver of the GMC Yukon was identified as Sevierville resident Rodney W. Schwartz, 53. Officials said the road will be closed from Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Tenn. to Smokemont Campground near Cherokee, N.C. to all incoming traffic. The U.S. Highway 441 and Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg and . Once you hear a voice, press 1, then press 1 for road information or 2 for a weather forecast. No other occupants were in either vehicle. Park officials said a third vehicle traveling north, a Chevrolet Cruz, rear-ended the GMC Yukon immediately after the initial collision. Please note that the park's backcountry is managed as a natural area where the forces of nature determine trail conditions. This is due to a bridge that is out of service on Hazel Creek and adds about 1/2 mile to the hike. Click here to subscribe for full digital access to knoxnews.com. NAT'L PARK, NC (WSPA) - One person is dead and several were injured Saturday afternoon after a multi-vehicle crash on US-441. Both are on the NC side. "Just after 3:30 p.m., a motor home towing a car crashed into an SUV near mile marker 22, according to Jamie Sanders, a spokeswoman for the Great Smoky . Find our latest subscription options and special offers here. No car ever invented has frictionless breaks. The driver of the Passat was identified as James P. Henning, 64, of St. Ann, Missouri. Or; Accidents; Traffic; Weather; DOT reports; . 10News will update this story as we receive more information. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. At 1:40 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The reason this person was going so fast is because they had no breaks. The Smokies is the busiest national park in the country, with a record 11.4 million visitors in 2018 to the half-million-acre, rugged, mountainous park on the Eastern Tennessee-Western North Carolina border. The car it was towing had been split in two and damaged beyond recognition. We are headed up this weekend and I'm sure I will be on pin and needles the whole way over the mountain. Whether you want to DIY it or go with a craft kit, theres something for everyone this St. Patricks Day. We dont plan to change that model. Greenbrier area roads and trails are closed due to construction. Road across from Fontana Dam is closed to vehicle traffic from October 3, 2022 through March 31, 2023, due to maintenance at the Dam. Highway 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopened to all traffic Wednesday around 3:30 p.m. after a rockslide. Second hiker dies in two weeks in Great Smoky Mountains, NPS report: Blue Ridge Parkway ranger should lose policing power, Man killed in fiery Blue Ridge Parkway crash, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service announced several road closures near the area Sunday morning. Rabbit Creek Trail - the bridge where the trail crosses Abrams Creek is out. Pack plenty of drinking water and snacks/picnic supplies. One minute you have breaks and then you don't. A trio of collisions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway over the past week have resulted in a total of four fatalities. The National Park Service says the road will close again near the crash for additional investigation and cleanup. I don't know if you remember but back about 5 yrs ago there was a huge landslide by mile marker 22. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Forum. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. A Sevierville man has been identified among the victims of a head-on collision that killed two people and injured five others along U.S.Highway 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park over the weekend. At 7:04 p.m. Sunday, July 25, a motorcycle carrying two people lost control and collided with a roadside sign at the intersection of U.S. 321 and the Foothills Parkway at Wears Valley. We strongly recommend spending the entire day along this route. Officials. For the bus 3rd gear works most of the time but with more passengers I use 2nd because it gets to heavy for 3rd to slow it down (It's a 4 speed auto). We are proud to be partnered with:The Real Estate Buyer's GuideBlue Ridge National Heritage Area, Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC, Great Smoky Mountains National Park TN, Only major highway that connects both North Carolina & Tennessee sides of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and offers fantastic fall foliage views, A multitude of outdoor opportunities for the entire family like picnics, hiking and swimming. For current information about temporary closures, alerts or warnings related to roads, facilities, trails or the backcountry areas please use the "ON THIS PAGE" navigation bar below. more, More Great Smoky Mountains National Park Topics, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Destination Experts. At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Major intersections [ edit] Florida US 41 in Miami US 27 in Miami I-95 in North Miami Beach I-595 in Davie US 98 in Royal Palm Beach. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. At least one person was flown by helicopter. USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee, Courtesy of Paige Marple, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. All Rights Reserved. At 7:04 p.m. Sunday, July 25, a motorcycle carrying two people lost control and collided with a roadside sign at the intersection of U.S. 321 and the Foothills Parkway . You could get very sick if you decide to drink it. Using low gear to descend is pretty common knowledge, or should be. Preliminary investigations showed that the vehicle was traveling southbound in a downhill curve when it left the roadway and landed on a nearby guardrail. Example video title will go here for this video. https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2013/01/updated-landslide-closes-newfound-gap-road-across-great-smoky-mountains-national-park22691, Tennessee Mountain Tours posted this on Facebook. Officials expect the road to be closed for several hours. Cabins within walking distance Downtown Gatlinburg. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in both the Smokies and on the Parkway. My breaks get about 10-15 seconds of contact with the rotor and then about 2 minutes to cool off as I slowly pick up speed again. Rangers received a call at about 5 p.m. Sept. 21of the collision, which occurred south of Carlos Campbell Overlook on the Tennessee side of the park. No trail closures are expected. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. From downtown Cherokee, NC pick up U.S. Highway 441 North towards Great Smoky Mountains National Park. What is a derecho and how often does one occur. This highway winds it's way through some shops and restaurants in Cherokee, then eventually crosses into the national park, just a few miles outside of Cherokee, NC. You can support local journalism with a subscription. resident James P. Henning, 64. The motor home was traveling south, the SUV north. NATL PARK, NC (WSPA) One person is dead and several were injured Saturday afternoon after a multi-vehicle crash on US-441. The man emerged unharmed but is being excoriated online for coming within feet of the bear family in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. P.O. This is a developing story. We came through right as they got on the scene. BRAKES are more sophisticated than they used to be, but heavier vehicles should be especially careful. Blue Ridge Parkway - for information about parkway closures, please call (828) 298-0398 or visit the. Many of you are from the flat lands and it's not your fault, but you have no idea how to drive these steep mountain roads. Wednesday, August 04, 2021. US-411/Newfound Gap Road was closed for several hours between OconalufteeVisitor Center in North Carolina and Sugarlands Visitor Center in Tennessee. When it passed it created a vacuum that shook the bus. Park Rangers were notified of a three-vehicle collision on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) just after 5 p.m. Rangers reported that a head-on collision occurred between a southbound Volkswagen Passat and a northbound GMC Yukon. Report inappropriate content 1-10 of 29 replies Sorted by 1 2 3 Elusive_Blue Cherokee NC attractions while 441 is closed, See All Great Smoky Mountains National Park Conversations. Updates are available for Newfound Gap Road (US-441), Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road, and Cades Cove Loop Road. Great Smoky Mountains National Park said the closure is between Gatlinburg and Cherokee, North Carolina. "Their conditions and identities weren't immediately available. In addition to Smokies rangers, Tennessee Highway Patrol and Gatlinburg Fire and Rescue responded to the wreck. UPDATE: US 441 reopens after temporarily closing due to an accident. For information about seasonal closures, including Clingmans Dome, Rich Mountain Road, Parson Branch Road, and others during the winter months, please see: Please read What Do I Do If I See A Bear? It may have been something at a picnic area or trailhead rather than a vehicle accident. Apparently one person was killed and others were injured. Updates are available for Newfound Gap Road (US-441), Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road, and Cades Cove Loop Road. This includes Grapeyard Ridge Trail, Porters Creek Trail, Brushy Mountain Trail, Ramsay Cascades Trail, Old Settlers Trail, and backcountry campsites #31, #32, #33. All rights reserved. ORIGINAL STORY: US 441 between Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Cherokee, North Carolina is temporarily closed because of an accident, according to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Smoky Mountains Vacation- Sylva,Bryson City,Franklin,Highlands,Cashiers,Cherokee, NC, Categories: Places of Interest, Scenic Drives, Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC, Great Smoky Mountains National Park TN, Fall Foliage - western North Carolina, Highway Day Tripping Routes. Answer 1 of 11: I am renting a Jayco Precept 33U in a couple weeks and driving to the Smokey Mountains. The time and date of that has not yet been determined. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. You can start building your own collection of David Bowie memorabilia thanks to his extensive body of music, film and more. Both occupants Benjamin Braunsdorf, 50, of Seymour, Tennessee, and Wendy Fitzgibbon, 46, of Knoxville, Tennessee were pronounced dead at the scene. A third car rear-ended the Yukon immediately after the collision. "Four people were hospitalized after a wreck closed a 26-mile stretch of Newfound Gap Road for several hours on Tuesday afternoon. The driver of the GMC Yukon was identified as Rodney W. Schwartz, 53, of Sevierville, Tennessee. 441/Newfound Gap closed for another multi-vehicle accident, Re: 441/Newfound Gap closed for another multi-vehicle accident, Get answers to your questions about Gatlinburg. I think the comment by BryanBe says it all. It seems that area is tanted. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. ORIGINAL STORY: US 441 between Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Cherokee, North Carolina is temporarily closed because of an accident, according to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. UPDATE: US 441 between Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Cherokee, North Carolina was reopened around 8 p.m. after being temporarily closed because of an accident on Saturday, according to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Road closures may occur due to severe weather events such as winter storms, floods, and tornados. A trio of collisions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway over the past week have resulted in a total of four fatalities. Exactly what gear I can't say because all of them are different but the general rule is what ever gear keeps you at or below the speed limit when the RPMs are about mid range. Wesley Brandon Stedham, age 48, of Warrior, AL fell after stepping down a steep slope below the overlook for a photograph. Last year there were 13deaths in the Smokies, seven of which were related to motor vehicle accidents. This information applies to all cars, trucks, suv, RV, and every other vehicle with wheels on it. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Ask the shuttle service about this when making a reservation to be dropped or picked up. Campsite #113 is closed to all use until further notice due to hazard trees. "Park rangers as well as firefighters and emergency medical service workers from Cherokee, North Carolina, responded to the wreck. They are locals so they probably get first hand knowledge about everything. Road Trip #486 - US Highway 441 North - Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Cherokee to Clingman's Dome RoadThe first half of the drive through the Great S. This cooling keeps my breaks from turning into marshmallows. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. In the U.S. state of North Carolina, US 441 travels for 64.5 miles (103.8 km) from the Georgia state line near Dillard, Georgia to the Tennessee state line in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A third vehicle traveling north, a Chevrolet Cruz, rear-ended the GMC Yukon immediately after the initial collision. Foot traffic is permitted - hikers can follow the walking path from TVA parking area across the dam to the AT and Lakeshore trailheads. SWAIN COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) Great Smoky Mountain National Park officials announced Wednesday that part Highway 441, or Newfound Gap Road, will be closed following a car crash. The crash was reported just after 5 p.m. Saturday on 441, also known as Newfound Gap Road, south of the Carlos Campbell Overlook on the Tennessee side of the park, according to a National Park Service news release Monday. By the time we came back through, many emergency crews responding. SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. Two people died after a head-on collision just south of the Carlos Campbell Overlook on U.S. 441 Saturday, according to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93671559', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars will do their job and you will make it safely over the mountain. Two people were injured and taken to area hospitals for their injuries, according to officials. "Photos submitted to the News Sentinel by reader Randy Sluder showed the motor home had flipped onto its side. Local Knowledge is just a click away.enlarge . Below, we highlight a few of our favorite points of interest for you to consider while on your Smoky Mountain vacation. Return to main pagePrivacy Policy2012 Stay & Play in the Smokies. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Stedham suffered severe head trauma and passed away as a result of these injuries. For updated road information please call (865) 436-1200. I know Someone fell backwards off a log down the side and it was a rescue but I don't Know the outcome. No additional occupants were in either vehicle, according to the park. US Hwy 441 Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg,TN and Cherokee,NC is temporarily closed due to a vehicle accident. Rangers received a call. There have been long stretches of route 441 where I've downshifted to a lower gear, and never even had to hit my brakes at all. When I tell my passengers that New Found Gap Rd is dangerous, it's the truth. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Kobe Bryant family settles photo lawsuit for $28.5, Man steals bus at JFK airport, drives through NYC, TikTok sets new default time limits for minors, Jury visits Moselle; closing arguments in Murdaugh, Arrest warrants issued for projected NFL draft pick, Panthers to meet with QB Derek Carr: Sources, Gamecocks again clean-up with SEC womens honors, Burke County Celebrating the Year of The Trail, Fashion Trend Tuesday Rustic Jem Boutique. Online for coming within feet of the Passat was identified as James P. Henning 64. Updates are available for Newfound Gap Road ( US-441 ), Little Road. Year there were 13deaths in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Policy2012 Stay & Play in the United.! There were 13deaths in the United States weather ; DOT reports ; ). Closed due to an accident weather events such as winter storms, floods, and tornados Across. 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Is because they had no breaks Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy hospitals for their injuries, according to officials English the. Below, we highlight a few of our favorite points of interest for you to consider on! Of that has not yet been determined, 64, of Warrior, AL fell after down.