WYFF anchor and photographer killed by tree that hit station vehicle in Polk County, N.C.

Catherine Rogers , Gabe Cavallaro | The Greenville News

WYFF reported on-air Monday evening that two employees of the TV station were killed just hours before while covering the impact of rain in Polk County.

During the 6 p.m. broadcast, the station showed photos of anchor and reporter Mike McCormick and photographer Aaron Smeltzer and said the two were traveling on Highway 176 near Tryon, North Carolina, when a tree fell on their station vehicle.

An article published on WYFF.com says McCormick had worked for the station since 2007 and that Smeltzer had worked in news in the region for over a decade.

“All of us at WYFF 4 are grieving,” said News Director Bruce Barkley in a press release. “We thank you for your comfort as we mourn. We ask that you keep Mike and Aaron's families in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

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McCormick, a Florida native, started at WYFF as a reporter in Spartanburg and later became the weekend anchor for the station's 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. shows, the press release stated.

Smeltzer was from Virginia, but lived and worked in the Upstate for more than 10 years. He started working at WYFF just this year, according to the release.

“Mike and Aaron were stellar journalists, dedicated to covering news in this market,” said John Humphries WYFF 4 President and General Manager in the release.

“They were beloved members of our newsroom, and we will miss them tremendously. Today is a difficult day, and there will be many more ahead.”

The highway is closed between Thomson Road in Saluda and Harmon Field Road in Tryon, according to Polk County Emergency Management.

North Carolina State Highway Patrol is handling the investigation.

The Emergency Management Office is advising drivers to avoid the area, as travel has become dangerous.