Accident Database

Asheville mother dies after tree falls on canoe, kayak during family trip on N. Toe River

by Johnny Casey

Asheville Citizen Times 

An Asheville family's July 2 trip to the North Toe River in Mitchell County turned tragic after a tree fell on the family's canoe and kayak, killing a mother and injuring the father and child. Yumiko Virant, 49, died on the scene after a tree fell on both the canoe Virant was operating with her husband, Thomas Virant, 49, and the kayak the Virants' 12-year-old child was operating, according to a North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission release. Virant and the child sustained minor injuries and were transported to Mission Hospital, the release said.

 The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. July 2 on the North Toe River, approximately 1 mile down river from the Penland Post Office, according to the release. The incident is still under investigation. This is a developing story. The Citizen Times will update this story when more information is available.

Woman killed, child, man injured when tree falls on canoe, kayak in Asheville, officials say

Jul 3, 2023

Stephanie Moore

Digital Media , WYFF 4

An Asheville woman died and a young boy and a man were injured when a tree fell and hit their canoe and kayak in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Authorities said it happened at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday on the North Toe River. They said while navigating a section of the North Toe River approximately one mile downriver from the Penland post office, a large tree fell, striking a canoe and a kayak. The canoe was being operated by Thomas Virant, 49, of Asheville, and Yumiko Virant, 49, according to officials. They said the kayak was being operated by a 12-year-old. Thomas Virant and the 12-year-old had suffered severe injuries.

Thomas Virant was transported by helicopter to Mission Hospital, while the 12-year-old was transported to Mission Hospital by EMS.Woman killed, child, man injured when tree falls on canoe, kayak in Asheville, officials say.