MARYVILLE (WATE) - Wildlife officials are investigating a boating accident that claimed the life of a Maryville man.
The incident happened around 5:00 p.m. Sunday on Tellico Lake near the Harrison Branch Recreation Area.
Officers from the
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency say Eric Morgan, 21 of Rockford, James
Parker, 22 of Louisville and Edward Russell, 25 of Maryville were fishing from a
canoe when
their canoe overturned, sending all three into the water.
Morgan stayed with the
swamped canoe while Parker and Russell attempted to swim to shore.
Morgan was
rescued by a passing boat and transported to Blount Memorial Hospital by
ambulance where he was treated and released.
Parker reached shore safely and
did not receive medical treatment.
According to witnesses, as Russell was
swimming, he went under the water and did not resurface.
Rescue crews recovered
Russell's body at 12:30 early Monday morning.
Multiple agencies assisted with the
rescue and recovery including the Blount County Sheriff's Office, the Blount County
Fire Department, the Blount County Rescue Squad, the Monroe County Sheriff's
Office, Monroe County Rescue Squad, and the Rural Metro Ambulance
Service.
