Drownings at TN Riverpark

Chattanooga Fire and other agencies worked a tragic call on the Tennessee River Saturday night. At 7:42 PM on 5/18/24, CFD units were dispatched to 4063 Amnicola Highway for an Emergency on the Water following reports that two adult males fell in the water and were not seen coming out. First responders went to the boat ramp at the Tennessee Riverpark during the response which later shifted from a rescue to recovery operation. One deceased drowning victim was located and crews continued searching for the other missing party. By 10PM, the other victim had been recovered and all divers were out of the water. Chattanooga firefighters, including Fireboat 10, were on the call, along with Dallas Bay Fire & Rescue’s Dive Team, CPD, Hamilton County EMS, and Hamilton County STARS. The CFD offers sincere condolences to the families of the victims. They were not wearing life vests. They were standing on a floating dock and family members told first responders that one of the men fell into the river and the other victim jumped into the water in an effort to save him. The Chattanooga Fire Department urges people of all ages to wear Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) anytime they’re near water. Summer is upon us and we don’t want to see anyone else lose their life.

In recent weeks, several people have fallen off docks in Chattanooga and drowned in the Tennessee River. Two men lost their lives over the weekend and another 21-year-old man died last month. Water safety should be top of mind as we head into the summer months. It only takes a second for conditions in and on the water to change, and even the savviest swimmers can find themselves in an unsafe situation if they aren’t careful. Help improve the safety of your friends and family when in, on or around the water. Here are guidelines for children, teens AND adults from the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security:

Wear a life jacket at all times! The Tennessee Law states that every person must have a life jacket on board a boat.
Wear a life jacket if you are at least 2 feet from a body of water.
Do not boat under the influence of alcohol. It affects your judgement, vision, balance and coordination. Factor in boat motion, sun, wind, can accelerate a drinker’s impairment.
Inspect your boat/water recreation vehicle before you take on the water. Make sure everything is working properly.
Never swim alone! Be sure to use the “buddy system”.
When swimming in lakes, you should refrain from area that are marked with signs of DANGER OF DROP OFFs or STRONG CURRENTS.
Never dive first into unknown water. Even if you are familiar with a like or river, conditions under water can change.
Don’t rely on floatation devices or water rings to keep children safe. An adult should be swimming with them until they are strong enough to swim without an adult.
Always make sure someone knows where you are and what time you plan to return.