RedactedNarrative: On 06/21/2017 I received a call from Richmond dispatch of a boat being capsized behind John H. Kerr dam and that there were still two people in the water. I immediately contacted the control room at the dam and asked them to stop water generation. I launched a boat at steel bridge boat ramp and proceeded up stream. I was notified that all the occupants were located and had gotten out of the water. One occupant had been in the water approximately one and a half hours. Due to the cool water temperatures in the river, Victim had a mild case of hypothermia and was taken to the hospital for warming and monitoring. He was then released.  I then went to VCU Community Memorial in South Hill, VA and spoke with all the parties involved. 
  
  The boat owner told me that they were catfishing behind the dam and decided to try in the Little River. They attached the anchor rope to the starboard side of their boat so they could fish off of the port side. The anchor was dragging and when it hung the current immediately pulled the boat under and then capsized it. 
  
  The two passengers were then swept down river. Owner said that he was able to get a bait knife and cut the rope. He then rode the boat down river; sitting on the bottom of the boat. When he got close to shore he jumped off of the boat and ran to call for help. Occupant1 said that he swam and held on to some trees for a while and then was able to get to shore and exit the water. Victim held on to a tree limb until  the palmers spring fire department was able to remove him from the water and transport him to an awaiting ambulance at Steel Bridge. All parties involved, were wearing approved PFD’s. No charges pending.
  