Accident Database

Report ID#68721

2023-11-14
accident date
Joshua Murphy
victim
25
victim age
Tennessee River
river
Harrison Bay
section
Patten Island
location
n/a
gage
n/a
water level
I
river difficulty
PFD Not Worn or Present
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
One Boat Trip
factors
Private
trip type
Other
boat type
status?
status

Description

Murphy and two companions were in a canoe, paddling to Patten Island in Harrison Bay, Tennessee River in the dark. No PFDs. The boat overturned, two companions swam safely to shore where they were rescued. The body of a man was recovered Tuesday after a canoe he was in with two others overturned after they left Harrison Bay State Park for nearby John A. Patten Island on Chickamauga Lake.The man has been identified by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency as Joshua Murphy, a 25-year-old Georgia resident. Murphy went missing just after midnight near Harrison Bay State Park after he and two other men left the boat ramp at Harrison Bay, Mime Barnes, agency spokesperson, said in an agency news release. “The canoe overturned, leaving the three adults in the water,” Barnes said in the release. “There were no life jackets on the boat. Two of the men were able to swim to the island, where they built a fire to keep warm. An angler heard their cries for help and responded, calling for emergency assistance around 2:30 a.m.” Officers located Murphy’s body around 8 a.m. in 7 feet of water, according to the state agency. Wildlife officers and others assisted in search and recovery efforts. Murphy’s body was transported to the Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s office for examination, Barnes said. The incident remains under investigation.