The identity of the victim from yesterday’s fatal boating incident on Watauga Lake was released on Satuday
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers say that Eric Jordan, 52, of North Carolina, died in the incident that occurred around 7:30 p.m. in the area of Big Island, which is between Watauga Point and Fish Springs Marina.
Officers say that Mr. Jordan was a passenger onboard a deck boat that was traveling on the lake when a dog jumped into the water. The boat’s operator slowed the boat down, however, Mr. Jordan voluntarily jumped into the water while the boat was still moving to try and rescue the dog.
Mr. Jordan began to struggle but a witness on a nearby houseboat entered the water and pulled him onboard. CPR was administered onboard the boat but was unsuccessful.
Mr. Jordan was taken to Fish Springs Marina where Carter Co. Rescue Squad received him and transported him to Quillen College of Medicine for positive identification and an autopsy.
Below is the initial release from the TWRA on Friday.
Fatal Boating Incident on Watauga Lake
Wildlife officers are investigating a fatal boating incident that occurred on Watauga Lake in the area of Big Island and Watauga Point on Friday evening, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Just before 7:30 p.m., a middle-aged man entered the water from a boat and began to struggle. A bystander on a nearby houseboat witnessed the incident and entered the water pulling the man onboard. CPR was administered but was unsuccessful.
The victim was taken to Fish Springs Marina where they were met by Carter Co. Rescue who transported the victim’s body to Quillen College of Medicine for positive identification and an autopsy.
The incident remains under investigation by TWRA.