On July 1, 2023. at approx. 5:07 PM Eastern I received a call from dispatch about a boat incident with injury that had occurred on Norris Lake. Dispatch stated that the injured victim was being taken to Shang-Hai Marina. Upon my arrival at Shang-Hai Marina, I assisted EMS with loading a person into an ambulance. EMS stated that they were taking him to Lafollette Medical Center. A few minutes later I located the operator of the other vessel involved in this incident. 

Operator1 gave me a written statement. He stated that he was operating a vessel with several other passengers on board when a jet ski operated by Operator2 performed a 360’ in front of the vessel that he (Operator1) was operating and that about the same moment, a wake from other boats in the area pushed that jet ski into his boat. 

According to both Operator2 and Operator1, the jet ski collided with the vessel operated by Operator1 causing Operator2 to be ejected into the water.  

He was pulled from the water and taken to Shang-Hai Marina for transport by EMS at about the time I arrived on the scene. Operator2 was bleeding at his spleen and a cut finger. He may be transported to UT Medical Center. Several other TWRA Officer arrived on the scene to assist in gathering statements and interviewing witnesses. Both Operator2 and Operator1 refused to give blood samples that are required by TCA. Operator1 did agree to field sobriety testing and performed well.

NORRIS RESERVOIR
LA FOLLETTE                   