CLAIBORNE COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI) — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has identified the victim of a fatal boating incident on Norris Lake as Kelly Eugene Minton, 65, of New Tazewell.

According to TWRA, game wardens responded at approximately 9:03 a.m. EDT on July 21 to a report of an individual in the water in the Straight Creek area of Norris Lake in Claiborne County.

Witnesses reported finding Minton floating in the water near an unmanned bass boat that was later confirmed to belong to him. Members of the Claiborne County Rescue Squad responded to the scene and transported Minton to Straight Creek Dock.

TWRA investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials said wardens are inspecting the vessel and reviewing GPS data to determine the boat’s movements and activity leading up to the fatal event.

Authorities noted that Minton was wearing an inflatable personal flotation device, and the life jacket had inflated when he was discovered in the water.

No additional details about the cause of death or the events leading up to the incident have been released as the investigation remains ongoing.

The fatality marks the 11th boating-related death on Tennessee waterways in 2026, according to TWRA. Later the same day, a separate collision involving two personal watercraft on Tims Ford Lake resulted in another fatality, increasing Tennessee’s boating death toll for the year to 12.

TWRA reminds boaters to prioritize safety on the water by wearing life jackets, remaining alert, and following all boating regulations. The agency is responsible for managing Tennessee’s wildlife resources while also promoting public safety through waterway patrols, law enforcement, and boating education programs.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is encouraged to contact the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.