2 Local South Carolina Journalists Killed When Tree Falls On SUV

POLK COUNTY, NC — Two local journalists based out of South Carolina were killed Monday when a tree fell on their SUV. The two journalists, anchor Mike McCormick and photojournalist Aaron Smeltzer, both 36, were covering the heavy rains in Polk County, North Carolina at the time, according to WYFF, the news station where they worked.

"The WYFF News 4 family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and condolences during this difficult time," said a post on the WYFF Facebook page accompanying a video report about the deaths. "Your outpouring of support has been felt by all of us. Please continue to remember Mike and Aaron's families during this difficult time."

The WYFF report says the two journalists fell victim to a "freak accident." Tryon Fire Chief Geoffrey Tennant said the tree that fell on the car was about three feet in diameter, according to WYFF. According to the news channel, Tennant said the ground was saturated and the tree's root system failed.

McCormick and Smeltzer were driving when the tree fell, according to The Greenville News.

“They were driving at the time. The engine was still running and the car was in drive,” WYFF News Director Bruce Barkley told The Greenville News.

One colleague who spoke to the paper remembered McCormick as "the nicest guy in the room" and recalled how good he was at breaking news. He was also a talented cook and a passionate foodie. Another reporter who worked with Smeltzer told The Greenville News he was "friendly, kind and always smiling - inside and outside of work." He was also remembered as someone who always helped others.

According to WYFF, McCormick joined the news channel in April 2007 as a reporter and was named anchor in 2014. A native of Arkansas, McCormick graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in broadcast journalism and theater arts. Smeltzer was from Tazewell, Virginia and joined the news channel as a photographer in February, according to WYFF.

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