CLAIBORNE COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI) – The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is investigating a fatal boating incident that occurred Monday morning on Norris Lake in Claiborne County.
According to TWRA, game wardens were dispatched at approximately 9:03 a.m. EDT on July 21 after receiving a report of an individual in the water in the Straight Creek area of Norris Lake.
Witnesses told investigators that a 65-year-old man was found floating in the water near an unmanned bass boat that was later identified as belonging to him.
Members of the Claiborne County Rescue Squad responded to the scene and transported the victim to Straight Creek Dock.
TWRA officials said the victim was wearing an inflatable personal flotation device, which had inflated by the time he was discovered in the water.
Investigators are now working to determine exactly what happened before the incident occurred.
Investigation Focuses on Boat Activity
TWRA game wardens are examining the bass boat and plan to use GPS data from the vessel as part of the investigation.
Officials said the information could help determine the boat’s movements and activity leading up to the incident.
The victim’s name has not been released as authorities continue working to notify additional family members.
No further details about the circumstances surrounding the death have been made public.
11th Boating Fatality of 2026
According to TWRA, the incident marks the 11th boating-related fatality on Tennessee waterways in 2026.
The agency continues to remind boaters to follow safety regulations and wear personal flotation devices while on Tennessee lakes and rivers.
The investigation remains ongoing.
