RedactedNarrative: On 02/24/2021 at approximately 1:20 p.m., I received information from Dispatch in reference to a boating incident in the Oak Grove Area of Cherokee Lake in Grainger County. Dispatch advised a male subject had fallen overboard and had been helped from the water by witnesses. Dispatch advised the vessel was still underway, travelling in a circle.
  Upon my arrival at Oak Grove Access Area, I made contact with the operator of Vessel #1, OPERATOR 1, who was being evaluated by Grainger County EMS. OPERATOR 1 advised the vessel had a couple of gallons of gas remaining. I observed the vessel at the mouth of Rocky Hollow and Circle Park. The vessel was still in gear and underway, traveling in a circle at a low rate of speed. The decision was made to secure the area and allow the vessel to run out of gas. Bean Station Volunteer Fire Dept remained on scene with the vessel while I went to retrieve my patrol boat. Upon my return to the scene, I observed the vessel had ran out of gas. Vessel #1 was towed back to Oak Grove Access Area by BSVFD. The vessel was secured on the trailer. Grainger County EMS transported OPERATOR 1 to Jefferson Memorial Hospital to receive a chest Xray to check for water in his lungs as a precaution because he had been submerged in the water and had a history of pneumonia. OPERATOR 1 made arrangements for his son to retrieve his truck and boat prior to being transported. I did not observe any damage to Vessel #1. 
  I interviewed OPERATOR 1 on 02/26/2021. OPERATOR 1 stated he had been fishing in the Rocky Hollow area when the wind began to pick up and he decided to return to Oak Grove where he had launched his boat. OPERATOR 1 stated he had started towards the Access Area when the tiller handle came out of his hand and he lost his balance. He stated he wasn’t sure if he became off balance before or after the tiller handle left his hand. He stated he didn’t see any logs and didn’t recall hitting anything in the water. He stated he tried to catch himself and regain his balance but ended up going overboard. OPERATOR 1 advised he was not wearing a personal flotation device and did not have a kill switch attached to his person. He stated he resurfaced and went back under a couple of times before he could remove his jacket. He advised when he resurfaced, he observed the vessel still underway and it was travelling in close proximity to him. He stated the last time he went underwater he said a prayer and doesn’t remember anything else until he was boarded onto another vessel and transported to Oak Grove to meet with EMS. OPERATOR 1 advised he was treated and released with no injuries. OPERATOR 1 advised the only damage he observed on Vessel #1 was that his motor shift rod / slide had been damaged. OPERATOR 1 advised he believed he may have kicked the part as he went overboard.
  I spoke with a witness on scene, who advised he was operating a vessel (TN 4116 DC) in the area when he observed Vessel #1 travelling in a circle. He arrived at the scene and observed OPERATOR 1 in the water and observed him go under. Good Samaritan reached into the water and was able to make contact with OPERATOR 1 and pull him to the surface. Good Samaritan advised he and two other subjects loaded OPERATOR 1 onto a vessel and transported him to Oak Grove Access Area for medical assistance. Good Samaritan provided a detailed statement by email which is included in the attachments.