Hannah Styles
hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com
On Saturday, Alicia A. Monahan, a firefighter from Virginia died during a training on the Nantahala River while teaching a swift water rescue course.
Monahan was an 11-year veteran with Chesterfield County Fire and EMS in Virginia and also a member of the Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association.
Monahan reportedly suffered a “catastrophic accident” while teaching students during a course on the Nantahala. No additional information is available at this time.
Swain Emergency Management Director David Breedlove said Swain County Emergency Responders did not get the 911 call, as it went to Macon County where EMS and Nantahala Fire Department responded.
“She was taken to Swain Community Hospital where resuscitation attempts were made, but she ultimately succumbed to her injuries,” Breedlove said.
She was 41 years old and a mother of two. Our thoughts are with her loved ones.