Boone McCrary, a 32-year-old emergency room nurse from Greeneville, Tennessee, tragically lost his life while trying to rescue a man trapped by floodwaters during Hurricane Helene. He, his girlfriend, and his dog Moss set out on his fishing boat to search for the stranded man, but debris in the water jammed the boat’s motor, causing it to capsize and ultimately leading to McCrary and Moss’ deaths. McCrary’s girlfriend, Santana Ray, was rescued after holding onto a branch for hours. David Boutin, the man McCrary was trying to rescue, was saved by another team after clinging to tree branches for six hours. Boutin was devastated when he learned that McCrary had died trying to save him.
Hurricane Helene caused significant damage in multiple states, including Tennessee, where McCrary lost his life. The death toll across six states rose to at least 225 people, with 114 of those deaths occurring in North Carolina alone. Recovery efforts were ongoing, and officials expected the death toll to increase as the search for missing persons continued. McCrary was among the first responders who perished while trying to save others during the hurricane. The storm caused a factory worker’s tragic drowning in Unicoi County and led to a rescue mission at a hospital in Erwin, Tennessee.
McCrary, an avid hunter and fisherman, spent his time cruising the waterways around Greeneville, Tennessee. When Hurricane Helene hit, he offered his help on Facebook and learned about Boutin, the man he set out to rescue. Despite the dangerous conditions, McCrary, Ray, and Moss embarked on their rescue mission but encountered challenges due to debris in the flooded neighborhood. McCrary’s sister, Laura Harville, organized a search effort involving hundreds of volunteers using drones, thermal cameras, and hunting dogs to locate McCrary. After days of searching, they found McCrary’s boat and Moss’ body, but it took four days to locate McCrary’s body, which had been carried by the floodwaters over several miles.
David Boutin, the man McCrary risked his life to save, expressed deep gratitude and guilt over McCrary’s sacrifice. McCrary’s coworkers at Greenville Community Hospital remembered him as a kind and compassionate individual who was always willing to help others. He lived life to the fullest and encouraged others to do the same, as evidenced by his last TikTok video before the hurricane. McCrary’s bravery and selflessness in the face of danger have left a lasting impact on those who knew him, reminding them of the importance of helping others and making the most of every moment.
