At approximately 14:15 on 7/13/2023 TWRA dispatch was made aware of a boating incident with injury involving two vessels on Tellico Lake in Loudon County. Information from dispatch indicated that 4 individuals on a tube had been struck by a vessel and were injured as a result of the collision. 

Upon arriving on scene officers found 4 individuals being treated by EMS with three ultimately being transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment. Three of the four individuals on the tube were admitted to the hospital for serious injuries with one occupant suffering critical injuries requiring long term hospitalization. 

In addition to the occupants of the tube one passenger on board the Bayliner vessel complained of injuries on scene and was checked and cleared initially by EMS but was later transported to and treated at the hospital. 

Investigation indicates that four children were being pulled behind a pontoon boat just outside Wind River Marina when the tube struck or was struck by a Bayliner, runabout type vessel. The operator of the pontoon boat was pulling the tube in such a way as to sling the tube to the right and left making sharp S turns and 180 degree turns. 

While the tube was being pulled by the 2024 25’ Premier Marine Pontoon boat operated by Operator2, a 2004 20’ Bayliner Runabout, operated by Operator1, approached the area. Based on video of the collision, gps download data and damage assessments from the Bayliner vessel, the Pontoon boat had just came out of a right hand turn resulting in the tube being outside the wake of the towing vessel, on the port side, when the Bayliner passed the pontoon very closely port to port, passing between the tube and stern of the pontoon boat, resulting in the tube and its passengers contacting the starboard side bow of the Bayliner. 

The Bayliner vessel was taken as evidence in order to evaluate the damage to the vessel, also taken as evidence was a SIMRAD gps device in order to download any location data stored therein. As per 69-9-217(h) blood samples were taken from the operators of both vessels in order to determine if there was any drug or alcohol impairment present at the time of the incident. In order to obtain the required blood sample, the Alcohol and/or Drug Level Request form (WR-0776) was read and explained to and signed by each operator, giving their consent for the blood draw. Copies of these forms are included in the case file. Each operator was then transported to Fort Loudon Medical Center where the sample was obtained. This blood was submitted to the TBI lab in Knoxville for analysis. BAC testing performed by the TBI lab in Knoxville indicated that Operator1’s BAC level was .18. Operator2’s sample was negative for alcohol. 

Follow up interviews were conducted with the operators of both vessels. Operator1 was interviewed at his residence on 7/22/2023. During this interview Operator1 stated that he was operating his vessel in the area of Wind River Marina at the time of the incident. Operator1 stated that he had operated his vessel to a spot upstream from the incident site, the silos on Tellico, and was returning from that area heading downstream toward Mizell Bluff when the collision occurred. 

Operator1 stated that he first saw the pontoon boat it was approximately 400-500 yards away heading in his general direction doing S-turns and zig zags. Operator1 stated that he was unaware that the boat was pulling a tube, only that it was operating in circles and S turns. Operator1 stated that he was operating his vessel on a steady course toward the bluffs as the Pontoon boat continued in his direction. Operator1 stated that he sounded three blasts on his horn to attempt to get the attention of the operator of the pontoon boat as the two boats drew near to one another. Operator1 stated that as the pontoon boat continued to approach his vessel, he began to steer to the right to avoid a collision, at which time the pontoon boat also steered to the right causing the tube to swing out wide and strike the starboard side of his vessel.

Upon reinterviewing Operator2, the operator of the pontoon boat pulling the tube, he stated that he had been pulling the children on the tube for about two hours prior to the collision and at the time of the collision Operator2 stated he was pulling the tube just out from Wind River marina and had just came out of a turn causing the tube to swing out to the side of the vessel and had then straightened his vessel and was heading on a straight course at the time of the collision. Operator2 stated again that he did not notice or see the Bayliner at all until immediately prior to the collision. Based on video of the collision taken, and GPS download data, the pontoon boat had just completed a right hand turn at the time of the collision resulting in the tube being well outside the wake of the towing vessel. 

Based on witness statements and the video provided, the Bayliner passed between the tube and the stern of the pontoon vessel. The tow rope being used to pull the tube was measured at approximately 65’. With the length of the tow line and the angle at which the line was in relation to the pontoon boat at the time of the collision as well as taking into account the beam of the two vessels, the two vessels were passing well within 65’, that distance is estimated to be, based on the video, approximately 48’…

Telico Reservoir
Loudon                        