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Article published Jun 26, 2009 Authorities find body of missing man
By Iva Butler of The Daily Times Staff
Authorities found the body of a North Carolina man who went missing after a boat he was in was struck by a barge at approximately 2:15 a.m. today on Watts Bar Reservoir in the city of Loudon.
The body was recovered this afternoon.
Blount County Fire Department’s six-team dive team and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office dive team, also six officers, were called at 7 a.m. to assist in the search for the body and responded at 8 a.m., said Blount County Fire Department Chief Doug McClanahan.
A father, son and the father’s brother were on a fishing trip when the 20-foot Alumacraft jon boat in which they were fishing was hit by the barge. They were anchored in approximately 25 feet of water, according to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Information Specialist Allen Ricks.Staging area at boat dock
The missing man’s son and brother were able to swim to the barge, but the father is still missing. No names are released at this time. The three are from Alleghany and Wilkes counties in North Carolina.
The search is being directed by city of Loudon Fire Chief Mike Brebuker, who has about 20 people from his department actively involved in the search, said city of Loudon Police Detective Mike Newman. The Loudon County Rescue Squad Dive Team is also involved.
The staging area for the search is at the Ferry Street Boat Dock Landing, which is located behind Loudon County Courthouse.
McClanahan was at the scene where his department dive team is involved in aiding in the search.
The incident occurred within the Loudon city limits near TRM 591, which is about one-half mile downstream from the Highway 11 Bridge in the city of Loudon.
This is the buoy near where the Oak Ridge fireman Herb Freshour fell in the water on Christmas Eve on 2005, and his body was found Valentine’s Day 2006, said Newman, who helped in the search for Freshour.
The U.S. Coast Guard and TWRA are investigating the incident. Check www.thedailytimes.com and Saturday Daily Times for updates.