An Overton County man tragically lost his life after falling from a boat at Dale Hollow Reservoir, marking the sixth boating fatality in Tennessee this year. The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) reported to the incident location post-haste, following a distress call received just past 6:30 p.m. yesterday at Sunset Marina. WSMV noted that the man, identified as Roger Howell, was initially seen "slumped" over the boat's steering wheel before his fall.
In a bid to save his life, bystanders quickly jumped into action, extracting Howell from the water and administering CPR. Sadly, despite their efforts and the fact that Howell was adorned with a life jacket, he perished after being taken to a nearby hospital. As reported by WKRN, Howell was transported to Livingston Region Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Wearing a life jacket at the time, the tragedy reaffirms the ever-present risks associated with boating, even with precautions in place.
Details on what led to Howell being "slumped over" before he fell overboard are still unclear. The TWRA, after responding to the lake near Sunset Marina, is investigating the incident to piece together the events that culminated in Howell's death. According to a statement obtained by FOX17, the man received emergency services promptly on the scene before being transported to the hospital.
This latest incident casts a somber light on the safety measures and preparations of boaters in Tennessee. The TWRA has not released any additional information immediately.
