Fisherman Dies When Boat Collides With Power Line

By Staff Writer

A fisherman was killed on the Tennessee River in Morgan County when his bass boat ran into a power line on July 30, according to Decatur Daily.

The Coast Guard sent out a radio message after closing a section of the river and warning of the hazard, but Anthony Szozda and Gary Thacker of Athens didn’t have a marine radio onboard. Szozda was killed when their boat ran into a transmission line the Tennessee Valley Authority was lifting out of the water to install near Nucor and Independence Tube. Thacker dodged the line, losing only his hat, and was uninjured.

Thacker piloted the boat to Ingalls Harbor after the accident to meet with authorities.

Justin Maierhofer, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) vice president of operations, confirmed there were no warning lights or signs of the possible danger, reported Decatur Daily. He said TVA workers were lifting the new power line out of the water when the bass boat ran into it.

It is a tragic boating accident, and is one of thousands that happen on Tennessee waterways each year. Not only is water inherently dangerous, but very few people using boats and jet skis are properly trained to operate them. As in the case above, many boat operators fail to have necessary equipment on board, such as a marine radio.

In 2012, the Coast Guard counted 4515 accidents that involved 651 deaths, 3000 injuries and approximately $38 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents.

Boating accidents caused by operator error or unsafe conditions can lead to catastrophic results, including:

• Broken bones
• Severe musculoskeletal injuries
• Lacerations or amputations
• Neurological injuries
• Drowning
• Death

Unlike car or truck accidents, water-related accidents have additional factors that require the expertise and knowledge of a boating accident attorney. A boating accident expert will help you determine who is ultimately responsible for the accident, and be familiar with the laws of admiralty, boating laws, boating insurance, and boating injuries to aid you in recovering maximum damages you are due.

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