A Sunday afternoon at Tims Ford Lake ended in tragedy when a reported drowning at the Devil's Step boat ramp drew a multi-agency response and a search of the water. Deputies and state wildlife officers converged on the scene, and rescue crews launched search operations as local and state teams worked side by side. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the person who was found, pending notification of family members.
According to WSMV, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to Devil’s Step boat ramp around 3:30 p.m. Sunday for reports of a possible drowning. Deputies, the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency responded to the call and remained at the lake to investigate. The sheriff’s office said, “We will not be releasing the name of the drowned person until we can assure that the next of kin has been notified,” adding that more information will be shared when it becomes available.
State wildlife agency joins local responders
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, which oversees boating safety and maintains boating accident reports statewide, was listed as a responder at Devil’s Step. The agency’s boating pages carry education materials and accident data that local crews rely on when handling incidents on Tennessee waterways, including searches and investigations like Sunday’s operation on Tims Ford Lake.
Tim's Ford's history of water fatalities
Tim's Ford Lake has seen deadly incidents before. In 2023, WSMV reported the recovery of a missing jet skier’s body, and the Chattanooga Times Free Press covered a separate case that same year involving an 80-year-old whose personal watercraft was found floating before his body was recovered. In the wake of those fatalities, TWRA and local rescue squads issued renewed reminders about wearing life jackets and following safe boating practices on the lake.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office says it will release additional details about Sunday’s drowning once it can. This story will be updated as officials provide more information.
