Officers from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency are investigating a fatal boating accident that occurred on Sunday on Tellico Lake.
Eric Morgan, 21, of Rockford, James Parker, 22, of Louisville, and Edward Russell, 25, of Maryville were fishing from a canoe in the Harrison Branch area of Tellico Lake. At approximately 5 p.m. their canoe overturned and all three entered the water.
Mr. Morgan stayed with the swamped canoe. Mr. Parker and Mr. Russell attempted to swim to shore. Mr. Morgan was rescued by a passing boat and transported to Blount Memorial Hospital by ambulance where he was treated and released. Mr. Parker reached shore safely and did not receive medical treatment.
According to witnesses, as Mr. Russell was swimming, he went under the water and did not resurface. Rescue crews recovered his body at 12:30 a.m. on Monday.
Multiple agencies assisted with the rescue/recovery including the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, the Blount County Fire Department, the Blount County Rescue Squad, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Rescue Squad, and the Rural Metro Ambulance Service.