There was a violent thunderstorm immediately before a fatal crash involving two boats on the Hiwassee River Sunday night.
Investigators want to know if the two are connected.
No one else was hurt in the holiday weekend accident.
It was about 8:30 Sunday night when the first call went out. Local officers and those with the Tennessee Wildlife Agency responded.
BEN DAVIS, TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCE AGENCY "At this point in time, it appears that two vessels had a collision here ...In the Hiwassee, Highway 58 bridge area of the Hiwassee River, unfortunately we have one deceased victim.
The two vessels were a ski boat with five people on board and a bass boat operated by the 65 year old victim.
BEN DAVIS, TWRA "A mister Dale Rose of Georgetown, Tennessee. Operating the other boat was Josh Smith of Cleveland, Tennessee.
The two boats hit near and island about 200 yards from the highway 58 bridge. Witnesses said Mr. Rose suffered extensive injuries and was dead at the scene.
BEN DAVIS, TWRA "There were definitely storms in the area, and as with any boat accident, our investigators will explore every aspect of that accident, to make a determination of any contributing factors."
STEVIE ROGERS, LOCAL RESIDENT "That storm come through yesterday ..I've been on the river when its come through up here, and you can't see."
Mr. Rose was a well-liked fisherman who lived less than a mile from the boat ramp.
STEVIE ROGERS "Dale was a good guy, I mean he was a real good guy, he'd help anybody."
The TWRA officers were busy most of the day speaking with witnesses and the victim's family.
They refused to speculate on exactly how the two-boat crash occurred.
BEN DAVIS "At this point in time, it appears our one victim is the only one that received any kind of injuries, everybody else appeared to be ejected or thrown-about in either of the boats."
The two boats were taken to a secure area where they will be closely examined as part of the investigation.
Funeral services are pending for Dale Rose.
