ACCORDING TO PARTICIPANT STATEMENTS:

On Monday, May 27, 2013, two people put a 10-foot jon boat in at the location of the old railroad trestle just above the Hugh B. Day Bridge on Cherokee Lake.  When Operator and Occupant had loaded their gear in the jon boat, Operator paddled away from the bank far enough to start the boat''s motor.  When he had the motor started, he proceeded upstream in the direction of the John Sevier Steam Plant.  Occupant began to feel water hitting her in the back and coming over the front of the boat.  She told Operator there was water coming in, and Operator told her to sit still, but Occupant moved to get away from the water.  Due to her sudden movement, the boat capsized.

Occupant was wearing a Type II Personal Floatation Device, but when she went into the water it came off.  Occupant managed to grab the boat, but went under water two or three times.  Operator was able to help Occupant hang on to the boat until help arrived.  Personnel from the Hawkins County Emergency Medical Services arrived and swam out to the boat.  These EMS personnel swam the boat, Occupant, and Operator back to shore.  Once on shore, Occupant lost consciousness and was flown to the Holston Valley Medical Center.
ROGERSVILLE