Jennifer Gail Martin of Dickenson County, Virginia drowned Saturday, August 11th while rafting on the North Toe River. Martin and her boyfriend began the trip on the Yancey County side of the river near Toe Cane. They were taken to the river by a local rafting company which supplied floating tubes, life vests and safety helmets. Apparently Martin’s float overturned and she was swept away in the current. Her body was recovered near Forbes Bridge on Hwy 197 by kayakers. The kayakers began CPR until first responders arrived. Both Mitchell and Yancey County first responders, EMS and law enforcement responded. Martin was transported to Blue Ridge Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
