On April 22, 2023 at approximately 8:25am, Sgt. received a call from a citizen, stating that a boat had capsized at the mouth of Hudgens Slough due to trying to navigate through its water control structure on Cheatham Lake.  3 individuals were reported to be in the water but were recovered by a nearby fisherman and uninjured.  

Sgt. and I arrived on scene at approximately 9:00am.  Upon arriving to the scene and interviewing the occupants, I found that the 3 occupants in the vessel were fishing a high school fishing tournament.   The captain of the vessel for the tournament was 20 year old.  He had 2 individuals that were in high school with him in the vessel.  

The individuals stated that Operator had been operating the vessel and they pulled into the mouth of Hudgens Slough.  Operator cutoff the outboard motor and they all 3 took their pfd’s off and they lowered the trolling motor. 

Subject then began to navigate the vessel up into the slough to the water control structure opening.  The vessel was too wide to fit through the opening and became lodged.  Once the boat became lodged the flow of the water came over top of the bow and flooded and capsized the vessel ejecting all 3 occupants into the water.  A fisherman came by and helped the 3 occupants into his boat and transported them to Dozier boat ramp.  No injuries were reported.

CHEATHAM RESERVOIR
ASHLAND CITY                  