From Local 3 News: UPDATE: An Ooltewah High School student, whose body was found in the water at Chickamauga Marina on Monday night, has been iden
From Local 3 News: UPDATE: An Ooltewah High School student, whose body was found in the water at Chickamauga Marina on Monday night, has been identified.
Adam Love, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, says the student is 17-year-old Ryder Bigelow.
EMS officials say Bigelow was boating with friends and family when they decided to jump in the water and swim to shore. Bigelow never resurfaced.
“This is not the call anyone wants to receive,” Love said. “It’s hard to believe. It’s a little bit surreal and he’s going to leave a big hole.”
Pastor Love says he was at the marina in Hixson on Monday night and it was very somber. Love says for about 3-4 hours, the family waited around praying and hoping they didn’t get bad news.
“Ryder had that way of making you appreciate the simple things. He found such joy in his family and his sister was the bright spot in his life. But he was one that found those little things in life and he taught me to focus on the moment and appreciate what it is the zeal of youth brings and the joy,” Love said.
According to the TWRA, none of the swimmers were wearing life jackets.
This is the ninth boating-related fatality in 2024.
PREVIOUS STORY: Local authorities report that the body of a missing 17-year-old was recovered late last night.
The 17-year-old was reportedly boating with his family and friends at about 8:00pm Monday night when he and two others decided to jump in the water and swim to shore.
The two other swimmers said that the 17-year-old went under the water and didn’t resurface.
None of them were wearing life jackets.
Those on the boat attempted to rescue the teen, but were unable.
The body was recovered at about 11:30pm in 21 feet of water.
The TWRA says this is the ninth boating-related fatality this year.
PREVIOUS STORY: A water recovery is underway for a 17-year-old male, who did not resurface Monday night at a Hixson marina as confirmed by Amy Maxwell, Public Relations Manager for Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management.
Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department Fire boat, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Marine01, TWRA and STARS were on the scene Monday.
HCSO was also on hand, Maxwell says.
