GRAINGER COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — A Grainger County mother has died after attempting to rescue her son from fast-moving floodwaters Sunday morning.
According to Sheriff James Harville, emergency crews were called to Round Barn Road in Powder Springs around 11:20 a.m. after reports of someone being swept into a culvert during heavy rainfall.
Investigators say 39-year-old Mary Evelyn Nicole Manning-Kellione jumped into the water after seeing her son being pulled into the culvert. The child was able to safely exit on the other side, but realized his mother had not made it out.
Rescue crews later located Manning-Kellione lodged inside the culvert.
Several agencies responded to the scene, including the Grainger County Sheriff’s Office, Grainger County EMS, Grainger County Volunteer Rescue Squad, Washburn and Blaine Volunteer Fire Departments, and the Union County Volunteer Rescue Squad.
The incident occurred as heavy rain impacted multiple East Tennessee counties, including Knox, Jefferson, and Cocke.
Authorities have not released additional details.
