The Daily Times

Rescue workers have recovered the body of a Maryville man who fell into Tellico Lake while canoeing late Sunday afternoon near U.S. 129, at the first turnoff just past the split with Tenn. Highway 72.

The body of Edward Russell, 25, of Maryville was recovered at 12:30 a.m. Monday, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. He had been fishing from a canoe with Eric Morgan, 21, of Rockford, and James Parker, 22, of Louisville in the Harrison Branch area of Tellico Lake on Sunday. 

At approximately 5 p.m., their canoe overturned and all three entered the water. Morgan stayed with the swamped canoe. 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. 

Multiple agencies assisted with the rescue/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.

TWRA officers are investigating the fatal boating accident.