LINVILLE, NC — A truck plowed into a crowd of runners Thursday night at the start of The Bear Race in Lynnville, Highway Patrol troopers said. One female runner was confirmed dead and three others were seriously injured. The event for runners and joggers is part of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in Avery County. It happened at about 6:50 p.m. on NC Highway 105 (Linville Avenue) near Blowing Rock Highway. Linville Avenue was closed after the incident. Troopers said the van driver was working the race, ferrying people up and down the mountainside. “About 10 minutes before the race started, I was crossing the street to get ready and a vehicle started moving forward through the crowd,” said runner Cory Wilkinson. “I heard screams and unfortunately, that vehicle hit a lot of people.” Troopers said they don’t know what caused the truck to suddenly accelerate and hit the runners before hitting a Gator 4×4 vehicle at the event. Breaking Avery County- highway patrol confirms one dead and three others seriously injured on highways 105 and 221. A truck crashed into runners about to run a race known as the Bear. Stay tuned to Channel 9 for updates on this developing story. pic.twitter.com/SvzmOew9ub — Dave Faherty (@FahertyWSOC9) July 8, 2022 Wilkinson believes it was an accident. “(The driver) wasn’t trying to hurt anybody,” he said. “Something went wrong. Nobody really knows what happened at his point.” The 5-mile race that runs from downtown Linville to the Mile High Swinging Bridge atop Grandfather Mountain has been canceled. About 900 people participated in the race. Runner Carolyn Brice traveled from Wilmington to participate. “I was turning back to go to the starting line when it happened. I just heard a bunch of screaming and I saw people running and I saw the van go through people and stop,” Brice said. “This is an event you want to do and have fun with. You don’t want to go and have someone hurt or injured or killed. So my thoughts and prayers are with those families.” The Bear race The start of The Bear race Thursday in Linville. Reports indicate that several pedestrians were hit by a vehicle. (COURTESY: KEN BURDINE) Organizers sent Channel 9 a statement on Thursday night. “On behalf of myself and the entire Grandfather Mountain Highland Games organization and family, we deeply regret tonight’s devastating event and extend our condolences to those affected,” said Grandfather Mountain Highland Games President Steve Quillin. Grandfather Mountain Highland Games activities set for Friday through Sunday will continue as scheduled. No further information has been released about the ongoing investigation. Check back on this story for updates. (See below: Highland Games kick off at Grandfather Mountain this weekend) The Highland Games kick off at Grandfather Mountain this weekend ©2022 Cox Media Group
