Wayne County man drowns while saving child in Great Smoky Mountains National Park river

CHEROKEE, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Wayne County man drowned on Saturday after saving a child in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park river.

Park rangers said around 5:30 p.m. they responded to a drowning on the Oconaluftee River in Cherokee, according to ABC-affiliate WLOS.
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Witnesses told park rangers Bulmaro Morales, 32, of Dudley jumped into the river to rescue a child.

When rangers arrived at the scene, the child was safe on the shore, however, Morales had not resurfaced.

Rangers along with bystanders searched for Morales.
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He was later found in approximately 10 feet deep waters unresponsive.

Rangers were unable to save Morales.



Officials have not released any other details at this time.