Deaths on the rise at Old Hickory, Percy Priest and Normandy Lakes

According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, there have been 19 boating-related deaths so far in 2024.

Three drownings in Tennessee in less than a week have brought the number of boating or watercraft-related deaths in the state’s waters to 19 as of mid-September, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

According to the TWRA’s 2023 Tennessee Boating Accident Statistics Report, an average of 22 boating or watercraft fatalities have occurred in the state each year since 1965.

The agency also reported 46 boating or watercraft-related injuries in 2024, according to TWRA spokesman Barry Cross.

TWRA has released the following information on recent drownings in Tennessee lakes and some additional statistics:

Murfreesboro man dies at fishing tournament

On September 14, a 74-year-old Murfreesboro man drowned while participating in a fishing tournament on Normandy Lake in Coffee County, according to the TWRA.

William Henry did not return for the tournament weigh-in, prompting a search. Henry was found motionless near his ship.

Coffee County first responders pronounced Henry dead. He was wearing a life jacket. The investigation is ongoing.

Virginia man dies in Old Hickory Lake

A Virginia man drowned in Old Hickory Lake in Wilson County on Sept. 12 during a pontoon boat trip with family and friends in the Spencer Creek area, according to TWRA.

According to preliminary investigation, Clarence Claiborne, 49, of Petersburg, Virginia, jumped into the lake for a swim at around 12:45 p.m.

Claiborne, who was not wearing a life jacket, did not surface and was not found by the other passengers on the boat. Multiple emergency crews arrived on the scene, and Claiborne’s body was found around 5:30 p.m.

The investigation is ongoing.

Hermitage man dies in Percy Priest Lake

Authorities believe a Hermitage resident who was out sailing with friends on the evening of September 11 drowned after jumping into Percy Priest Lake while his boat drifted in a dead-end area near Elm Hill Marina, according to TWRA.

Based on preliminary investigation, Jason McDonald, 55, immediately struggled and called for help as the boat drifted. Before rescue could be made, McDonald disappeared under the water and did not resurface.

Metro Fire Department carried out the rescue operation at around 01:55 on September 12.

McDonald was not wearing a life jacket.

It’s the third boating fatality on Percy Priest Lake this year.

Boat and watercraft related deaths in Tennessee since 2015

(According to TWRA’s 2023 Boating Accident Statistics Report):

2015 — 14
2016 — 22
2017 — 16
2018 — 23
2019 — 8
2020 — 31
2021 — 21
2022 — 29
2023 — 27
2024 (until September 15) — 19.

According to the TWRA’s 2023 Boating Accident Statistics Report, injuries on Tennessee waters include:

2020 — 53
2021 — 60
2022 — 56
2023 — 58
2024 (until September 15) — 46.

Andy Humbles can be reached at [email protected] or 615-726-5939 and at X, formerly known as @AndyHumbles on Twitter.