Savannah, Tenn.— Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Wildlife Officers said they have recovered the bass boat belonging to the Obion County Central High School fishing team that went missing over the weekend at a fishing tournament on Pickwick Lake.
TWRA officers said the missing boat was recovered this morning on the Tennessee River below the dam near Savannah. The search now has shifted to the Tennessee River.
The boat and trailer belonging to the team was found Sunday, according to Obion County Director of Schools Tim Watkins early this morning.
Watkins confirmed early this morning two students and the father of one of the students who was serving as a guide/chaperone were reported missing.
According to the TWRA, a 43-year-old male and two 15-year-olds are being sought.
Watkins told RadioNWTN early this morning, “What I know is limited, but the boat they were in had been having engine troubles before the tournament and they at first decided not to go out on the lake. The rest of the competitors thought they had taken their boat out of the water and left. But they did go on the water later.”
After supper on Sunday, he said, one of the parents of the boys contacted the coach asking whether they had heard from them and he said no. “The coach told them he thought they had come home already and he immediately contacted the authorities,” Watkins said.
According to the TWRA it is believed that the team had been missing since Saturday, but was not reported missing until 9 p.m. Sunday when they had not yet returned home.
Boats from the Hardin County Fire Department and TWRA resumed search efforts Monday morning for the missing boaters.
Search efforts are now concentrated on the Tennessee River for the missing boaters, according to the TWRA.
The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, TWRA, rescue squad and a deputy with the Obion County Sheriff’s Office are helping with the search.
“We’re hoping for the best and we’re asking everyone to keep these families in your prayers,” Watkins said. “I can’t imagine what they’re going through.”