SANGER, Texas – Family members have identified the woman who lost her life when powerful storms tore through Sanger on Sunday as 79-year-old Rosemary Mcaninch. The deadly weather struck the Sanger/Denton North KOA Journey RV park, where high winds overturned several trailers and caused widespread destruction. Officials said five RVs in the long-term resident section were flipped during the violent storm.
Mcaninch had been inside her trailer with her small Yorkie dog when the storm hit. She was pulled from the wreckage and rushed to a nearby hospital, but despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead. On Monday afternoon, her dog was discovered alive inside the damaged trailer, offering a small glimmer of relief amid the tragedy.
Other residents described harrowing scenes as the storm ripped through the RV park. Clint Frye, who lived in the same row as Mcaninch, recalled how his own trailer was tossed and rolled multiple times. “The next thing I know I’m being flipped in the air,” Frye said. He and his black Labrador were trapped inside but managed to escape through a window with help from neighbors. His RV ultimately came to rest on its side in the middle of a gravel road.
Frye said he felt fortunate to have survived. “I was lucky that there wasn’t anything heavy where I was. Everything else inside got destroyed,” he explained. Though he did not know Mcaninch personally, he expressed deep sympathy for her loved ones. “It tells me how close I was to not making it either. My condolences go out to her family. It makes me value life more,” he added. His wife, Autumn Frye, said the experience underscored the dangers of RV living during severe weather. “RVs aren’t as stable as houses or apartments. This shows how dangerous storms can be,” she said.
In a statement, management at the KOA park shared their sorrow and extended condolences. “Tragically, we experienced the loss of one of our long-term campers as a result. Our deepest sympathies are with their family and loved ones during this difficult time. We remain focused on supporting our campers, team members, and neighbors,” the statement read.
Beyond the RV park, the storm inflicted heavy damage across the Sanger area. Officials reported destruction at McClain’s Longhorn RV and structural damage at a Walmart distribution center near Interstate 35. As cleanup and recovery efforts begin, Mcaninch’s death stands as a somber reminder of the dangers severe weather poses to RV communities.