The TWRA has identified the body of the missing kayaker in Smith County as 18-year-old Tyler Flanery of Putnam County.
Flanery’s body discovered Sunday, a day after his kayak capsized in strong currents near Betty’s Island on the Caney Fork River.
Flanery and his father Kevin Flanery had put in their kayaks at the Happy Hollow access area downstream from the Center Hill dam, and had planned to take out at Betty’s Island in Smith County.
Bystanders at the Betty’s Island area reported that both men capsized their kayaks while trying to navigate towards the ramp take-out. Tyler missed the take-out and was swept downstream. Neither of the men had lifejackets.
