Multiple First Responders on Scene at a Claiborne County Marina to Recover a Drowning Victim's Body

From The Big One WRIL –

Shortly after 9:00 am on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, we received word that rescue efforts were ongoing on Norris Lake at Cedar Grove Marina off Highway 33 in New Tazewell, Tennessee.

It was determined a man had fallen from a houseboat and drowned the night before.  The victim’s body was located in roughly 60 feet of water approximately 50 feet from the houseboat.  Claiborne Rescue Squad members, deputies from the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department and a “Need-A-Diver” member were conducting a retrieval operation.   

After several hours, additional rescue squads from Knox County and Blount County along with five more members of the Need-A-Diver group arrived to assist those on scene.

Just after 6:00 pm the man’s body was recovered and taken to the Claiborne Hospital by the Claiborne EMS where he was pronounced deceased.  He was transported to the Claiborne Overholt Funeral Home via Claiborne Rescue Squad.  The individual has been identified as 78-year-old James Fredrick Orlando of Morristown, Tennessee.

During the incident, one of two Claiborne Rescue Squad vehicles was overwhelmed and became submerged.  The rescue squad tells us the truck is fully insured, did not affect the recovery, and no one was injured.

TWRA initially responded late Monday night, but the incident was determined to be under the jurisdiction of the Claiborne County Sheriff's Department. Detective Adam Southern is in charge of the investigation.