TWRA Investigating a Fatal Boating Accident on Douglas Lake
The TWRA is investigating a boating related drowning that occurred this morning on Douglas Lake near Inspiration Point Campground on Muddy Creek.
Wildlife Officer Wayne Rich reports that around 9:20 a.m. James Edward Arnette the 3rd, age 67, from Knoxville, was launching a 1972 14-foot Alumacraft boat from a trailer when the incident occurred. The boat was not tethered to the trailer and began to drift away prompting Mr. Arnette to enter the water in an attempt to retrieve it. Witnesses report that he got about 20 feet from the boat when he went under the water and never resurfaced.
A nearby fisherman was able to mark the victim’s location on a sonar unit allowing rescue personnel and bystanders to make rescue attempts. JD Clevenger, a member of the Jefferson County Rescue Squad, entered the water attempting to rescue the victim and has been admitted into the hospital after ingesting water. Other witnesses onshore launched a pontoon boat and successfully retrieved the victim however he did not survive.
The victim has been taken to Jefferson Memorial Hospital and the accident remains under investigation by the TWRA.
