What began as a beautiful day on the Tennessee River with family and friends ended in tragedy on Saturday when a 10-year-old girl from Collinwood lost her life in a boating accident.
TWRA issued a statement hours later. Amy Spencer, TWRA Region 1 Outreach and Communication, stated, “About the preliminary investigation is that our officers found that it was a ten-year-old female was on a tube being pulled by a pontoon boat when the outward motor made contact with the tube and the girl.”
According to the TWRA, the incident occurred at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Saturday night, July 2, near Double Island in Decatur County.
The young lady who was killed was reportedly all set to participate in the Dixie Angels Softball State Tournament later this week. Dixie Youth Director Obie Evans posted the following on the Dixie Youth Facebook page: “Way too often I get news that a young Dixie Softball player has died. I got news yesterday that a 10-year-old Angels player from Collinwood, Tennessee was tragically killed in a boating accident. She was riding behind a pontoon boat on a tube and somehow the rope and tube came in contact with the outboard motor and caused her death.
“She was preparing to play in the Tennessee Angels Dixie Softball State Tournament this coming Friday. All of the Dixie Softball family sends its condolences to her family. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers through this troubling time.
“One cannot understand why some things happen but all is in God’s hands. I am thankful that a girls’ softball program that I had a hand in starting played a part in her life and gave her and her family some joy in her short life.”
The investigation into the accident is reportedly still ongoing.
