UPDATE: Missing Vonore fisherman ID'd; marks 22nd boating-related fatality in Tennessee

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) says officers have recovered the body of missing angler James Paul McTyre, of Vonore, in the Ball Play Creek area of Tellico Lake.

McTyre’s body was found just before 11:00am on Monday, October 13, after an extensive search that began the previous morning. TWRA officers were first alerted around 7:15am Sunday. His truck and trailer were discovered at the Ball Play boat ramp, and his empty boat was found about a half-mile away shortly before 9:00am.

Search efforts continued throughout Sunday and resumed early Monday using side-scan sonar and a remote-operated vehicle. TWRA says McTyre was not wearing a life jacket.

This marks the 22nd boating-related fatality in Tennessee this year.

The incident remains under investigation.



UPDATE: Rescue crews are searching for a missing 60-year-old Vonore man who went fishing Saturday afternoon.

The Monroe County Sheriff says the man went fishing around 3:00pm on Oct. 11, parking his truck and boat trailer at the Ball Play boat landing.

Early Sunday morning, family members reported him missing after he did not return home.
A short time later, officials found the man's boat approximately a quarter mile upriver toward the Ball Play Bridge. It was empty, in drive, and the lanyard for the emergency cut-off switch was missing. The engine was not running when it was found.

Multiple agencies have been searching the area throughout the day. Teams are utilizing sonar technology, and dive teams are on standby to enter water once a specific area is identified, Sheriff Tommy Jones says:

"Due to poor visibility and murky conditions, underwater operations have been challenging. The individual is not located before nightfall, search operations will resume Monday morning. We are not releasing the name of the individual’s identity at this time."

Here are all the agencies helping look for the man:

• Monroe County Emergency Management
• Monroe County Rescue SquadMonroe County EMS
• Hopewell Fire Department
• Citico Fire Department
• Tellico Village Fire Department
• TBAR
• Loudon County Emergency Management
• TWRA
• Rhea County K-9 Unit
• Bradley County K-9 Unit

This is a developing story.



PREVIOUS STORY: The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said they are looking for a missing boater in Vonore.

Sheriff Tommy Jones says the boater went missing in the area of the Ball Play Boat Dock off of Highway 360 Sunday morning.

The MCSO Marine Unit, as well as several assisting agencies, are searching the area.

Authorities are asking the public to avoid the search area to allow first responders to conduct operations safely and efficiently.