Ben Madilynn
A Tennessee nurse and his dog died trying to save a man from floods driven by Hurricane Helene.
When the relentless floodwaters surged through Tennessee’s Nolichucky River, Boone McCrary, known for his generous spirit, along with his girlfriend and beloved chocolate lab, Moss, took to the murky waters. Their mission? To rescue David Boutin, who was stranded inside his home as it was overcome by rising water, causing significant damage to structures across the region.
On September 27, 2024, Boone and his companions set out on their fishing boat amid the chaotic currents and debris left by the storm. Unfortunately, the thick debris obstructed the boat’s motor, causing it to lose power and crash violently against a bridge support, leading to their tragic capsizing.
While Boone and Moss were swept away, his girlfriend, Santana Ray, battled the elements, clinging desperately to a branch until rescue teams could reach her. Heartbreakingly, rescue teams found the boat and Moss’s lifeless body just two days after the incident. Boone, on the other hand, was missing for four days before searchers finally located him downstream — his body discovered about 21 miles from where the boat capsized.
David Boutin, the man McCrary had risked his life attempting to save, was devastated by the news of his rescuer’s demise. “I’ve never had anyone risk their life for me,” he shared with The Associated Press. “He’s my guardian angel, that’s for sure.”
Boutin himself faced the raging waters and fortuitously managed to cling to floating branches for six grueling hours until he was rescued. During this tumultuous experience, he lost his dog, Buddy, whom he described as “my best friend, all I have.” Unfortunately, he fears Buddy didn’t survive the storm.
The great tragedy echoed the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, which claimed at least 230 lives across several states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Among those fatalities were first responders who perished during rescue efforts, exemplifying the dangers faced by those willing to assist others during overwhelming emergencies.
McCrary, 32, was previously described as someone who embraced life to its fullest, relishing his time on the water. He was remembered not only as a skilled nurse at Greenville Community Hospital but also as someone who consistently reached out to help neighbors during times of need. His sister, Laura Harville, recounted how Boone had posted on Facebook asking if anyone needed assistance before heading out on this fateful evening.
When McCrary’s boat launched around 7 p.m., they were hopeful as they navigated through flooded neighborhoods. But as they approached Boutin’s residence, the debris-filled waters rendered their boat incapacitated. Two hours elapsed, and attempts to free the motor were futile. McCrary’s last communication was to his sister at 8:56 p.m. — it was the last she would hear from him.
Harville did not sit idly by after Boone went missing. She marshaled hundreds of volunteers, utilizing drones, thermal cameras, and hunting dogs to search the banks and waters. They carefully navigated the muddy and treacherous environment, often battling the natural elements, including the risk of encountering venomous snakes. They also collected items associated with McCrary to assist the search dogs, placing scents inside mason jars for canines to follow.
Days passed with no sign of Boone until one of the drones spotted the overturned boat, offering creeping hope to the desperate searchers. Two days later, as searchers continued their frantic hunt for Boone, they were taken aback when they discovered Moss nearby, lifeless. Sadly, this was only the beginning of the heart-wrenching news. The next clue came when they noticed vultures circling the area, leading search teams toward Boone’s final resting place downstream.
The rescue team faced fierce conditions. The Tennessee Valley Authority reported at least 1.3 million gallons of water were flowing per second over the Nolichucky Dam, drastically exceeding the flow rate seen during the last regulated release nearly fifty years prior. It was evident the floodwaters were not only fierce but also unpredictable, creating a perilous situation for anyone caught during the storm.
Reflecting on the tragedy, David Boutin expressed regret upon learning of Boone’s fate after he himself had been saved. “When the news hit, I didn’t know how to take it. I wish I could thank him for giving his life for me.” This sentiment rings like many hearts aching over the loss of Boone — his coworkers and friends, too, are sharing tributes, celebrating his kindness, compassion, and selflessness.
McCrary’s last TikTok video, shared shortly before the storm struck, showcased him speedily traversing the water on his boat alongside the spirited tune “Wanted Dead or Alive.” His words penned at the bottom spoke volumes about his adventurous spirit: “Some people have asked if I had a ‘death wish.’ The truth is I have a ‘life wish.’ I have a need for feeling the life running through my veins.”
It’s interactions like these, the bonds forged through acts of valiant bravery, and the lives we touch, echoing through our shared narratives, which create the fabric of community.
