A Saturday afternoon kayaking trip in Smith County ended tragically with a person’s death. The Smith County Rescue Squad posted on their facebook page indicating that they were dispatched at approximately 4:52 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26 to a report of an overturned kayak. The kayaker was on the bank and unresponsive.
First responders arrived at the scene, and brought the kayaker back to the Happy Hollow boat ramp, which attaches to the Caney Fork River. The victim identified as 65 year old, Jerry Ozmon, of Scottsville, KY was placed in the care of awaiting medical personnel. However, Ozmon did not survive.
According to the generation information, 2 plus generators were operating at the time. The Smith County Rescue Squad reminds “We say this over & over please please wear your life jackets and especially when there is heavy generation. We ask the community members to pray for the kayaker’s family.”
Just last weekend, August 19th the Smith County Rescue Squad responded to two calls in less than six hours involving overturned kayakers near Betty’s Island. According to first responders, you need to wear your life jacket when you’re out on the water. After all, nobody plans to overturn, but when you do, it may be too late to put on your safety gear because the current could push it away from you.
Kayakers can check the generation schedule for the Center Hill Dam and for the Cordell Hull Dam or visits TVA.com website. According to the TN Boating laws there must be at least one U.S. Coast Guard Approved Type I,II, or III lifejacket (PFD) per person onboard the vessel (your kayak). Kayakers 13 and younger must wear approved PFDs while underway.
