The search continued on Tuesday for Eric Mowery, 51, of Heiskell, Tn., who went missing after a boating incident below Fort Loudoun Dam on Saturday.
Wildlife officers say that Mr. Mowery and Steven D. Musick, 44, of Jellico Tn., were fishing from a fiberglass boat that was pulled into the cascading water from the dam’s spillway. The boat capsized sending both occupants, who were wearing personal flotation devices, into the treacherous waters.
Mr. Musick went underwater several times but was pulled to safety by nearby fishermen, while Mr. Mowery went under and never resurfaced. The boat was pulled into falling water from the spillway but washed out and has been recovered with heavy damage.
Rescuers from Loudoun Co. Homeland Security Marine Rescue, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue, City of Loudoun Fire Department, Lenoir City Fire Department, Tellico Boaters Assistance Response Team and TWRA are continuing the search for the victim on Tuesday.
Search teams continue to recover debris from the boat in the river in the vicinity of the dam, although Mr. Mowery remains missing.
TWRA officers have worked with TVA to close all flood gate spilling Tuesday at 9 a.m., which will allow crews to search the numerous areas near the dam face and wing wall that have been unsearched thus far due to safety. TWRA officers will have three to four boats on the water to thoroughly search this area while the opportunity exists. An ROV will be on standby in the event targets of interest are located.