Several members of the Carroll County Rescue Squad were a part of the search and recovery operations for the three missing boaters near Pickwick Dam, according Curt Taylor, captain of the Carroll County Rescue Squad.
The group was a part of the team on Feb. 24. In the party were Arthur Pritchard, Gina Gentle, Jim Bays, Christopher Painter, Ronnie Maxwell, Logan Ledsinger, Tony Toronto, Billy Pardue, James Brotherton and Jan Brotherton.
The preliminary investigation indicates that a Stratos boat containing 43-year old Kenneth Driver and two 15-year-old boys was last seen in a picture taken above the dam on Saturday, Feb. 22, between 8 and 8:30 a.m. The three occupants and the 20-foot bass boat went through the floodgates at Pickwick Dam. Search efforts are concentrated on a 14 mile stretch the Tennessee River for the missing boaters. The three people were reported missing after the fishermen failed to return from an Obion County club bass tournament
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, TEMA, and Hardin County Fire Department has announced it will be reducing the workforce in search and recovery operations for the missing boaters near Pickwick Dam. The reduction began Monday morning with the anticipation of heavy rain and rising waters. Local resources will continue searching, and volunteers may assist but will not be required to check-in. Press releases will be suspended until there is a development in the search and recovery.
Over the last several days, search crews have conducted surface and sonar scans in attempts to locate the missing boaters on the Tennessee River. Multiple aviation units have assisted in air searches along the river banks. TWRA, Hardin County Fire Department, Sumner County EMA, Decatur County Rescue, Hardin County Sheriff’s Department, Henry County Rescue, Henderson County Rescue, and EMA, Lake County Sheriff, Humphreys County Sheriff, Carroll County Rescue, Chester County Rescue, Samburg Fire Department, Finger Fire Department, Obion County Rescue, Fayette County Sheriff’s, TEMA, TVA Police, and Pickwick State Park staff, Jackson Police Department Aviation Unit, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol Helicopter have assisted with searching for the missing boaters on the Tennessee River near Pickwick Dam. Thank you to all good Samaritans that have made donations with food, drinks, and supplies for all the volunteers this week.
