Man Drowns on Caney Fork River Near Center Hill Dam

A morning fishing trip on the Caney Fork River below Center Hill Dam turned tragic for an Alexandria man and his grandson Saturday morning.
TWRA Officer Tony Cross says 62 year old Richard Sanders drowned after he and his grandson, 15 year old Kirkland Sanders of Murfreesboro jumped from their small fishing boat, trying to make it to shore, after encountering strong currents.
The Sanders were on the river as the generators were activated and the sluice gate was opened at the dam, and when the water got swift, the two apparently became concerned and decided to jump out of the boat and try to swim to shore. But finding the current too strong, the boy swam back and clung to the boat until help arrived. The boy’s grandfather drowned. Both were wearing their life jackets.
Bystanders in canoes and kayaks quickly converged on the scene to render assistance. The elder Mr. Sanders was brought by canoe to the steps below the power house at the dam, where efforts were made unsuccessfully to resuscitate him.
The people on the kayaks pulled the boy on board his boat and towed it to shore. Ambulances transported both victims to DeKalb Community Hospital. The grandfather was pronounced dead. The boy was treated and released.
TWRA Officers Tony Cross, Tommy Stockling and Mike Beaty were on the scene along with Ray Eason, Park Ranger of Edgar Evins State Park, members of the DeKalb County Rescue Squad and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.