Funeral plans for doctor and child killed in I-81 accident
Alternative content
A local doctor and his child killed in I-81 accident...
WSLS has learned that Carilion surgeon Dr. Jeffrey E. George and his 13-year-old daughter were killed in an accident on Interstate 81 in Botetourt County.
WSAZ, Huntington West Virginia
A former Huntington doctor and his 13-year old daughter, Hannah, were killed Wednesday night in an auto accident on Interstate 81 near Roanoke. He worked as a cardiovascular surgeon at St. Mary’s Hospital in Huntington until he and his family moved to Virginia last year. There, he worked at the Carilion Clinic.
Published: December 5, 2008
Updated: December 5, 2008
Updated Friday, 12:15 a.m.
Funeral arrangements have been made for the local doctor and his daughter who were both killed in an accident Wednesday on Interstate 81.
A visitation will be held for Dr. George and Hannah on Sunday at Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in Huntington West Virginia from 5-8 p.m.
A funeral will be held there Monday at 11:00 a.m.
Police still don’t know why the SUV swerved and hit a guardrail.
——————————————
Updated Thursday, 6:15 p.m.
by Scott Leamon
Hannah George’s school, Faith Christian in Roanoke County, had a special assembly this morning at 8 o’clock.
The school’s lead administrator, Sam Cox, said several youth pastors from area churches checked in all day to help grieving students.
The school provided its 300 member student body with large paper banners and markers for special messages to the George family.
Dr. George’s widow, Teresa, was a regular volunteer at the school, Cox said.
Hannah was a freshmen.
Friends wrote about her bright smile, positive attitude, and love for horses.
Cox said Dr. George and Hannah were on their way to Rockbridge County for Hannah’s riding lessons when the accident happened.
The lead State Police investigator said it’s a mystery as to what caused Dr. George to veer off the interstate and into a guard rail.
The working theory among investigators is that making contact a second time with the guard rail punctured the gas tank of Dr. George’s SUV, starting a fire.
The Medical Examiner’s office in Roanoke made positive identification of both bodies this afternoon.
————————————
Updated Thursday 3:20 a.m.
The NBC affiliate, WSAZ, in Huntington West Virginia reports that Dr. George just moved to Roanoke a little over a year ago from Huntington. He was a cardiovascular surgeon.
They say his 13-year-old daughter, Hannah, was also killed in the crash.
He had strong ties to the Huntington, West Virginia, area. His local philanthropy led the Hospitality House to change its name in his honor—to the Jeffrey E. George Comfort Hospitality House.
Dr. George attended medical school at West Virginia University.
———————————-
WSLS has learned that a local doctor is one of two people killed in an accident on Interstate 81 in Botetourt County near Natural Bridge. The accident happened on Wednesday afternoon.
State Police say when they got to the accident the SUV had flipped over a guardrail and was on fire. Police say they are reasonably certain of the victims’ identities but are waiting for results from the medical examiner. They confirmed that an adult and a child were killed.
We received information that one of the victims was Dr. Jeffrey George who is a cardiovascular surgeon for Carilion Clinic. When we contacted Carilion about it they said, “At Carilion we are in shock and heartbroken by this tragic loss. we are trying to do what we can to support his family.“
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Dr. George performed surgery on my father in July. He treated not only my father, but my entire family, with kindness and compassion. The Roanoke/New River Vally area has lost not only a magnificent surgeon, but a wonderful human being as well.
I worked at st. marys in huntington wv on the cardiac unit with dr. george as a surgeon there for 5yrs.. I am totally devastated!! He was a great person, awesome surgeon, and just never seemed to have a angry bone.. He also teamed up with dr. setser to do my father in laws thoracotomy which noone else would do b/c of his lungs being so bad but they did and he was great!! My heart breaks for his family, the local hospital, our hospital and all of his former and present pts.. He will be sadly missed.. My prayers go out to his wife and family for their loss not only Dr. George but his daughter he was very fond of his kids he talked about them quit often.. God Bless his family
I am a nurse in Huntington, WV and I am so deeply sorry to hear about this accident. Dr. George was a WONDERFUL doctor in our community as well as yours. I am thankful that your community had the opportunity to have him for the short time you did. He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and prayer go out to his family.
Advertisement