BASED ON INFORMATION TO DATE:  

On Wednesday, November 11, 2009, I, Off. 1, was contacted by 911 of Hamblen County concerning a possible boat capsizing/missing person accident on Cherokee Lake.  911 provided an address of 7382 Circle Point Drive in Talbott as to the location of the call for assistance.  I arrived on scene at approximately 12:16 hrs and spoke with Hamblen County Sheriff Deputies.  They advised that the operator P1 was currently out with rescue personnel attempting to locate the passenger and missing person, P2.  P1 stated that he had met P2 at the Panther Creek State Park boat ramp at approximately 10:00 hrs and launched his 1976 14 foot fiberglass Volunteer boat to fish on Cherokee Lake.  P1 stated that he was  motoring in  and out of the coves headed downstream towards the dam using the electornic fish finders to locate fish.  He stated that they were not seeing many fish and were going to go on down towards the dam. P1 stated that the main channel was very choppy.  He advised that they were rounding the point at Point 4 marker when a large wave came over the bow of the boat.  P2 was sitting in the forward pedestal seat and both occupants were thrown into the water when the boat capsized.  P1 and P2 were not wearing personal floatation devices.  P2 grabbed a floating seat and started swimming towards shore.  P1 stated he grabbed the gas tank and noticed P2 was 30 yards ahead of him and about 20 yards from shore.  P1 stated that he returned to the boat and swam underwater to retrieve a life jacket.  He was successful and swam towards shore.  Once on shore, P1 looked for P2, could not find him, and walked to the nearest house to call for help.

The vessel sank in approximately 40 feet of water and was approximately 58 yards from shore due North West of the downstream Point 4 marker.

The bodP2 was recovered by Hamblen County Rescue Squad approximately 15 yards from shore in line with sunken vessel and Point marker at approximately 17:30 hours.
MORRISTOWN                    