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81-year-old man found dead near boat on Watts Bar Lake

The TWRA said the man's body was found near a pontoon boat Thursday afternoon after responding to a call about an overdue boater.

RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. — Tennessee wildlife officers said they found a man dead in the water Thursday afternoon after responding to a call on Watts Bar Lake.

According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, officers found the body of Larry Ezell, 81, from Rhea County in the water near a pontoon boat. 

Officers said someone called 911 to report an overdue boater. They received a second call while on the way that someone had found the boat still afloat on Watts Bar Lake. Ezell's body was found about 3.5 miles north of the dam.

The body was taken to the Knox County Forensics Center for analysis, and the TWRA said the incident is still under investigation. This is the 27th boating-related death this year in Tennessee, the TWRA said.

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