TWRA reports 11th boating related fatality this year

CROSSVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — TWRA Officers and local authorities responded to a call around 9:45 a.m. EDT regarding a man overboard at the confluence of the Hiwassee and Tennessee Rivers in Meigs County.

Officers reported a Dyer County man, who was fishing with a friend, is thought to have suffered a medical emergency and fell into the water. He was not wearing a life jacket. The angler still on board jumped into the water and pulled the man to the boat where he called 911 and drove towards the Highway 58 boat ramp. The man, thought to be in his mid 70’s, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Meigs County Morgue.

This is the 11th boating related fatality on Tennessee waters this year. Information on safe boating can be found at tnwildlife.org.