BASED ON INFORMATION TO DATE: 

On June 12, 2009 at approximately 8:00pm, I was notified by T.W.R.A. dispatch of a boating accident on Boone Lake near Rockingham Dock and point 16. I was advised that this accident involved a vessel that had sunk and one occupant was missing and had possibly drowned. I arrived at the scene at 8:15pm.

According to operator and occupant statements, P1 was operating the vessel when he struck a rock near Deer Lick Island. Passenger, P2, was able to view the prop and determined that the vessel must return to the ramp at TVA access. Approximately 20 minutes later the vessel had took on enough water that the operator decided to turn toward shore. When the vessel was approximately 40 feet from shore, the occupants bailed out as the vessel capsized. Occupants P1, P3, and P4 swam to shore. Occupant, P2, was missing. He was last seen in the water by P3. Nearby witnesses, came to render aid when they saw the  waving for help.P1 had called 911 and witness 1 later told the 911 operator of their location. EMS and TWRA soon arrived on scene.  P1 was determined to be the operator of vessel. He appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and or drugs and was arrested on scene for B.U.I. Search for the missing occupant, P2, lasted into the evening. The search was conducted by Kingsport Life Saving. On Saturday, June 13, 2009 at approximately 6:30pm the body of P2 was found near the location of the overturned vessel. An autopsy of the body was requested by the District Attorney’s office and TWRA.

The vessel was secured by TWRA and was removed from the water at 12:05 am on June 13, 2009. Water was noticed draining from the vessel’s bilge from two transom drains that are designed to drain water from transom deck in front of engine. Upon initial inspection, these drains seem to be altered from original design. There was also evidence that the vessel had recently struck a hard object due to damaged fiberglass and damaged propeller. Scheduled test on the vessel may show if this damage could have caused the vessel to take on water and capsize.
JOHNSON CITY                  