By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Hardin County, Tenn.–The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency made the sad announcement this morning that search efforts for the missing Obion County fishermen on the Tennessee River at Pickwick Dam has now transitioned to a recovery operation rather than a rescue operation.
TWRA Regional Communications Coordinator Amy Spencer made the video announcement from the scene. “Regrettably,” she said, “we have transitioned to a search and recovery” operation.
Several factors went into the decision she said, including that the boat and the three occupants were captured in a photo taken above the dam four days ago and the extensive damage the boat was in when it was found near the Savannah bridge. Other factors include water flow, water temperature, and air temperature.
All those factors, she said, “have led us to believe there is no chance for survival.”
Twenty boats are currently involved in the recovery efforts, using surface and electronic scans.
A high school fishing team from Obion County Central High School is missing. On the boat were two 15-year-olds and the 43-year-old father of one of the boys who was serving as a guide/chaperone. They were competing over the weekend in a high school fishing tournament on Pickwick Lake.
Spencer voiced the TWRA’s thoughts and prayers for the families.
TWRA photo