A White County man drowned Wednesday at Johnson Chapel Boat Launch on Center Hill Lake.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deceased as 73-year-old Joe Elkins.
A press release states Elkins and another person were swimming near the boat ramp when Elkins was found struggling in the water.
According to the release, The other swimmer attempted to retrieve Elkins from the water and shouted towards other people for help.
Elkins was pulled from the water and given CPR. DeKalb EMS transported Elkins to St. Thomas Hospital in Smithville where he was pronounced deceased.
The sheriff’s office reports Elkins’ body was taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Nashville for an autopsy. An investigation is currently pending.
