Two TWRA wildlife officers went into rescue mode late Tuesday evening bringing a happy ending to a would-be sad story.
At around 5 p.m., Steve and Connie Hunter of Ten Mile, Tn., were enjoying a kayak float with their sons down the Clinch River near the Second Baptist Church in Clinton when both were capsized into 45-degree water. Their sons attempted to stay with them; however, the strong current forced them downstream where they made it to shore and dialed 911.
TWRA Sgt. Roy Smith and Officer Jeff Roberson responded to the accident alongside Anderson Co. Rescue Squad, Clinton Police, and Anderson Co. Sheriff’s Office. At around 5:20 p.m., Sgt. Smith and Officer Roberson located Mr. and Mrs. Hunter clinging to a log overhanging the river. The officers brought them into their patrol boat and transported them to shore where they were assessed by Anderson County EMS and released.
The sons were located about a mile downstream of where their parents were rescued.
“Because the water was so frigid and only one of them had on a life jacket, this was nearly another fatal boating incident,” said TWRA IE Coordinator Matthew Cameron. “Last year, national boating accident statistics reveal that 118 people drowned while occupying a canoe or kayak and drowning remains the leading cause of death while boating.”