Bodies of child, father pulled from river following fishing accident, authorities say
The two were not wearing life vests, the sheriff said.
LINDEN, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) – The bodies of a child and a man believed to be the child’s father were recovered from the Tennessee River on Wednesday morning in what officials are describing as a sad accident.
WSMV reports Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems said the father and child, who is believed to be about 4 or 5 years old, went fishing sometime Tuesday evening and fell into the water. The child’s body was found at about 6:45 a.m. at a gravel site near the river off Highway 412, while the man was found at 12:30 p.m.
Their identities have not yet been released pending next-of-kin notification. They were not wearing life vests, according to Weems.
Officials say fishing is not allowed and “no trespassing” signs are posted in the area, but it’s still a popular area to fish. Deaths have happened there before, Weems said.
The Tennesse Bureau of Investigation is working alongside the Perry County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation. Authorities have emphasized their bodies are not connected to any missing person’s case.
The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the recovery of the bodies.
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