From WRIL/Knox News Sentinel -
As we told you on our social media page, Claiborne County authorities responded to Earl's Hollow in Speedwell to the report of a child drowning Saturday afternoon May 18, 2019. After a family member contacted us we were told the 5 year old child died as a result of the incident.
The Knox News Sentinel has provided more detail into the incident and reports that Claiborne County Sheriff's Office Lt. Tammy Reagan stated that a family friend had taken his nephew, the boy and the boy's twin brother to the Powell River.
Around 5 p.m., the children were playing near the boat ramp off Earls Hollow Road, about a mile from the boy's home, when the 5-year-old swam into deeper water and began struggling.
Lt. Reagan went on to say that a woman who was not with the group saw what was happening, went into the water and retrieved the boy. The uncle and the woman were attempting to administer CPR to the child when deputies, a Tennessee State Trooper, and emergency personnel arrived at the scene.
The boy was rushed to the hospital, but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
As of Sunday, authorities had not released the child's name.
Reagan said she does not expect criminal charges to be filed in the case, but she noted the investigation remains open.
"It's just a sad situation," she said.