GSMNP: 6 teenagers killed after multi-vehicle crash on Newfound Gap Road
The park said two were taken to LeConte Medical Center, while the other four took themselves to the hospital to be evaluated.
Author: Diamond Carroll
Published: 12:59 PM EDT October 14, 2024
Updated: 1:07 PM EDT October 14, 2024
Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — Six people were injured after a crash on Newfound Gap Road on Sunday afternoon, according to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
They said around 2 p.m. several park rangers responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash with injuries at mile marker 12 on Newfound Gap. After arriving on the scene, they found the crash involved three cars.
GSMNP said two were transported to LeConte Medical Center, while the other four took themselves to the hospital to be evaluated.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
US 441/Newfound Gap Road was temporarily closed after the crash.
GSMNP: Routine visitor services to be available through Sunday in case of government shutdown
The National Park Service said it is reviewing its contingency plan to determine the specific services that could be impacted if the government shuts down.
Author: Chris Salvemini
Published: 4:17 PM EST December 20, 2024
Updated: 5:55 PM EST December 20, 2024
Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — A government shutdown could impact services at one of East Tennessee’s most-visited destinations — the Great Smoky Mountains. A spokesperson said if there is a lapse in funding, routine visitor services should be available through Sunday. The days after that are less certain.
The looming shutdown comes after a 1,500-page funding bill crafted by Republican and Democratic lawmakers was shot down by President-elect Donald Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk, who whipped up social media outrage against it.
The new proposal was whittled down to 116 pages and lawmakers are in chaos over it. Democratic representatives called it “laughable” and some Republican lawmakers also defected away from their Trump-backed colleagues, leaving lawmakers without the votes to pass it and the future uncertain while some federal workers wonder if they will go to work and collect paychecks into the new year.
Should a government shutdown occur, only federal employees considered essential to public safety must report to work, such as air traffic controllers or law enforcement officers. Others will be furloughed. Generally, services at national parks are among the ones that lose funding.
The National Parks Service said it is reviewing its contingency plan and is working on specifics for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in case of a government shutdown.
That contingency plan was created in March 2024 and said 12,972 employees may be furloughed during a short-term lapse in funding. Around 2,700 would continue working to “protect life and property,” according to the plan.
A statement from a National Parks Service spokesperson is available below.
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