Body of missing 17-year-old kayaker recovered from Sequatchie River

Captain Roy Smith and Sergeant Joe McSpadden attempt to use the ROV as storms approach

Photo by TWRA

Officials with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and local agencies recovered the body of a 17-year-old male kayaker around 3:30 p.m. CDT on Tuesday. The Marion County Rescue Squad located the body about a quarter mile downstream from Ketner’s Mill Dam.

The young man initially went missing after his kayak capsized on Saturday. The first call regarding a kayaker in distress at the Ketner’s Mill site on the Sequatchie River occurred around 5:00 p.m. CDT on Saturday.

Witnesses said the young man was fishing on the Ketner’s Mill side of the river and was seen paddling to the opposite bank when his kayak overturned about halfway in the turbulent water. Bystanders who made several attempts to help said the paddler went under and did not resurface.

Multiple local agencies and TWRA officers worked into the overnight hours searching banks, downstream and in the waters below the dam. Due to weather conditions and safety concerns, the search was called off after dark and resumed early Sunday and has continued since.

The remotely operated vehicle (ROV), normally used in search and rescue operations, was deemed unusable due to the strong current and high water. Rain, thunderstorms and floods made the rescue work even more difficult. The water temperature was 64 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of the incident. The paddler was not wearing a life jacket.

TWRA officials said they “thank the many partner agencies for their efforts during this unfortunate event.”

This is the fourth boating-related death in 2024. For boating statistics, regulations and safety information, visit tnwildife.org.