(PERCY PRIEST LAKE) Around 7:00 o'clock Friday night (5/26/2023), divers found the body of a missing 17 year old male swimmer in water near the Anderson Road Recreation Center. Friends saw the teen go under on Thursday evening, buy did not resurface. 

Emergency responders were on-the-scene almost immediately after the teen was reported missing. Search teams used boats, helicopters, sonor and drones. 

Drownings Are UP...Especially Age 15 and Younger

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency notes that there have been eight boating related deaths this year. 

The threat posed by fatal and nonfatal drowning injuries in children under age 15 remains high.

Consider that child drownings continue to serve as the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1 to 4 years old. Everyone looks at the Memorial Day weekend as being the official beginning of the summer season, it's here and incredibly important for parents and caregivers to make water safety a top priority.