Teen dies after being found downriver from his stuck kayak, Tennessee officials say
BY BAILEY ALDRIDGE, Charlotte Observer
AUGUST 01, 2021 02:03 PM
Officials are investigating the death of a teen whose kayak was found pinned against a tree on a Tennessee river. The 15-year-old was last seen on a sit-on-top kayak behind a group of 20 people who were kayaking and tubing along the Hiwassee River on Saturday, officials with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency told WBIR. The group later found the teen downriver, officials tell WTVC. He was unresponsive and away from his kayak. His kayak was later found pinned against a large, downed tree, WTVC reports.
First responders from multiple agencies were called to the Quinn Springs area around 4:45 p.m. about the overturned kayak, WRCB reports.
15 Year Old Fatality on Hiwassee River
By WDEF News
July 31, 2021
Following an incident on the Hiwassee River, a 15 year old male was taken to the Starr Regional Hospital in Etowah where he was declared deceased.
A call describing an overturned kayak in the Hiwassee River was made Saturday around 4:45 PM EDT. TWRA Officers, Polk County EMS, Tennessee State Parks, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene shortly after. The male victim was with a large group of nine adults and eleven juveniles floating down the river in kayaks and tubes. Individuals in the group came across the unresponsive victim without his kayak down the river. The last time the members saw the 15 year old was behind the group with his kayak. The victim’s kayak was later found near a large, downed tree.
An autopsy will be conducted at UT Medical. The name of the deceased will not be released. An investigation is ongoing.
