CLAXTON, Tenn. — Anderson County officials said a 21-year-old man drowned Wednesday night at the New Henderson Road Park in Claxton.
Anderson County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the park around 8:30 p.m. Witnesses said Robert J. Blanchard entered the water to swim but soon began yelling for help, according to the department.
Witnesses obtained a floatation device and entered the water but were unable to reach the victim, ACSO said.
The Claxton Volunteer Fire Department, the Anderson County Rescue Squad, the Knox County Sheriff's Office's dive team and the Knox County Rescue Squad began rescue operations and recovered Blanchard's body two hours later, according to ACSO.
ACSO Sheriff Russell Barker thanked all the agencies who responded and said the hearts and prayers of the sheriff's office go out to the Blanchard family.