On Jan 21,2012 at approximately 10:00am operator left from Percy Priest Dam in a kayak and canoed down the Stones River to the Cumberland River. He then proceed to drift down river towards Nashville.   After he passed Shelby Park boat ramp(192.6 mile marker) at approximately 2:00 pm he fell out of his kayak.  He tried to turn the kayak upright and reboard it but he was not successful.  During this process he hit his head on the side of the kayak. He then lost grip on the kayak and became separated from it in the middle of the channel and started to swim towards the bank.  He had 2 PFD''s on board but he was not wearing one.  A bystander seen him in distress and call 911.  Nashville Fire launched a boat from Shelby park ramp a picked him up on the side of the bank.  EMT''s transported him to Skyline Medical.  He was treated for mild hypothermia and a small bump over his left eye then released.  When interviewed operator said he had been drinking beer and was on his 5th beer out of a six pack before he fell overboard.
NASHVILLE                     