TWRA Wildlife Officers on Sunday night confirmed that the body of Andrew Gamble of Hamilton County had been recovered. Mr. Andrews died earlier in the day while kayaking on Richland Creek, near Back Valley Road in Rhea County.
Fast moving water and rough terrain made recovery efforts difficult, the TWRA said.
Mr.
Gamble, along with two other kayakers, took to the water for a point to point trip along the section of stream known for white water paddling after heavy rains.
While kayaking, the victim was trapped under a log. Those with him attempted to help free him. Mr. Gamble was wearing a life jacket.
TWRA along with the Rhea Count Sheriff’s Office, Rhea County Emergency Management and Tennessee State Parks worked together for recovery efforts.
The Rhea County Sheriff’s office received the report of a flipped kayak at 2:07 p.m.
The incident happened at the Laurel Snow State Natural Area in Rhea County.
Mr. Gamble was an experienced kayaker. A YouTube video from 2013 shows him in a group kayaking Rock Creek on Lookout Mountain during a time of high water.