Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has confirmed to the Elizabethton Star that a man from Delaware has perished following an accident that took place today in Carter County.

According to the report, George Warren, 65, from Townsend, Delaware passed away while on vacation with his family.

According to TWRA, three individuals went floating on the Watauga River in inflatables crafts starting from Wilbur Dam Road, known as Goat Pen.

The report indicates that a father and son were in an inflatable pontoon fishing boats and a cousin was in an inflatable kayak.

Witnesses reportedly saw all three together pass under Hunter Bridge but “at some point, the son and cousin got approximately 100 yards ahead of the father.”

Witness added they saw a PFD floating and went to it realizing that it was the father face down in the water while wearing a PFD. They took him to shore and started CPR while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive. His mother went to the local hospital and was notified of the death. The vessel, a blue single seat 10.5 ft. inflatable pontoon, is still missing.

Matt Cameron, spokesperson with TWRA, added the department expresses a “great deal of gratitude” for the work provided by the Elizabethton Police Department, Carter County Sheriff’s Office and Carter County Rescue Squad.