WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Local doctor and his daughter killed in I-81 wreck remembered by many

Local doctor and his daughter killed in I-81 wreck remembered by many

A father and daughter are being remembered by many in the area.

Dr. Jefferey E. George and his daughter, Hannah, were killed in an accident on Interstate 81 Wednesday.

Carilion Clinic is mourning the loss of Dr. George.  He started at the clinic in 2007, where he was a cardiovascular surgeon.  In an email, Carilion says, "We are in shock and heartbroken by this tragic loss.  We are trying to do what we can to support his family."

George also leaves behind a legacy in Huntington, West Virginia.  The Jeffrey E. George Comfort House is named in his honor.  He helped start it to give families with loved ones in the hospital an affordable place to stay.

And in 2007, he was named Distinguished West Virginian.  We spoke by phone with the director of the comfort house about just how much Dr. George meant to his patients and the community there.

"Right now it's still very numb, but I always sensed he had destiny, this house was part of his destiny and his death a part of his destiny," said Jo Fannin.

News7's has learned his teenager daughter also leaves a special place in the hearts of many. Students and staff at Faith Christian School in Roanoke County remember her as a bright young woman who always had a smile on her face.  She was a 9th grader there.

"She was always positive in any situation, everyone that knew her was a friend," said Sam Cox, with Faith Christian School.

School officials tell News7 Hannah and her father were best friends.

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UPDATED: 1:45 p.m.

Faith Christian School in Roanoke confirms that Dr. George's daughter Hannah was also killed in Wednesday's crash.  A spokesperson says Hannah was in 9th grade.

UPDATED: 11:20 a.m.

Carilion Spokesman Eric Earnhart confirms Dr. Jeffrey George, a cardiovascular surgeon, died in a traffic accident Wednesday afternoon. 

CBS affiliate WOWK in Huntington, WV is reporting that sources close to the family said his 13-year-old daughter Hannah was also killed.

"Today at Carilion, we are in shock and heartbroken by this tragic loss.  We are trying to do what we can to support his family," said Earnhart in an email. 

UPDATED: Thursday, December 4 & 6:00 a.m.

State Police say it could be days or weeks before there's a positive identification on the two people who died in a fiery crash on Interstate 81.

But CBS affiliate WOWK in Huntington, WV is reporting that sources close to the family identify the victims as Doctor Jeffrey E. George and his 13-year-old daughter Hannah.

Dr. George was a well-known cardiovascular surgeon in the Huntington area but moved his family to Roanoke last year when he took a position at Carilion Clinic.

The accident happened Wednesday around 3 p.m. on the northbound side of Interstate 81, a half mile south of the Rockbridge County line.

Witnesses reported seeing a Chevy Suburban hit a guard rail, flip over several times, hit an embankment and catch fire.

We understand several drivers stopped and tried to help.

State Police investigators are trying to figure out what caused the Suburban to initially hit the guardrail.

They're hoping a data recorder inside the vehicle will provide some answers.

They fear though it may have been destroyed in the fire.

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UPDATED: 10:55 p.m.

New information tonight about that deadly fiery crash on Interstate 81 on Wednesday.

Because of the fire, state police say it could take days or weeks before there's a positive identification.

Investigators believe they know who the victims are but at this time the names are not being released.

We're told it was an adult and a child from Virginia who died in this accident.

It happened around three o'clock on the northbound side of Interstate 81, a half mile south of the Rockbridge County line.

Witnesses reported seeing a Chevy Suburban hit a guard rail, flip over several times, hit an embankment and catch fire.

We understand several drivers stopped and tried to help.

State Police believe the victims survived the crash but died in the fire.

Investigators are trying to figure out what caused the Suburban to initially hit the guardrail.

They're hoping a data recorder inside the vehicle will provide some answers, but investigators fear it may have been destroyed in the fire.

UPDATED: 5:29 p.m.

Two people are feared dead after a fiery crash Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 81.  It happened northbound around 3 p.m., about a half mile south of the Rockbridge County line.

Witnesses reported seeing a car hit a guard rail, flip over several times, hit an embankment and catch fire.  State police believe the two victims survived the crash, but died in the fire.

Traffic was backed up for more than two miles for several hours.

UPDATED: 4:19 p.m.

State police are working a single vehicle accident on Interstate 81 at mile marker 173.5 in Botetourt County. 

According to witnesses, the car hit the guard rail, flipped over, hit an embankment and caught fire.  State police believe the two people inside the car survived the crash, but died in the fire.  We're told the car had Virginia license plates.    

The southbound lanes are open, but moving a little slow.  One northbound lane is closed. 

UPDATED: 4:05 p.m.

Our News7 crew tells us there is backup in both directions on Interstate 81 at mile marker 173.5.  We're told one lane is open in each direction. 

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Crews are working an accident on Interstate 81 at mile marker 173.5 in Botetourt County. 

According to VDOT, those traveling in this area can expect delays due to a vehicle accident.

Stay with News7 and WDBJ7.com for the latest.