A father and son were pulled from the Tennessee River early Wednesday after a “sad fishing accident”, authorities said.
Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems said the bodies of the father and young child, believed to be around 4 or 5 years old, were recovered hours after they fell into the river Tuesday evening.
The child’s body was located at around 6:45 a.m. at a gravel site off Highway 412. His father’s body was located at 12:30 p.m.
Weems said the victims were not wearing life vests and were fishing in an unauthorized area of the river where “no trespassing” signs are posted.
He added that fatalities have occurred there in the past as it is considered a popular spot to fish.
An investigation into the drowning was launched by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations and the Perry County Sheriff’s Office.
