Fisherman dies after falling overboard on Holston River

Published 2:52 pm Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

RUTLEDGE – A fisherman from South Carolina died yesterday after he fell from a boat into the Holston River in Grainger County.

The incident occurred downstream of Smoky Island near 147 Mary Lane in Rutledge when Robert Skipper Cogan, 75, of Indian Land, S.C., fell overboard from a drift boat while on a guided trout fishing trip with another fisherman. The fishing guide entered the water and was able to pull Mr. Cogan to the shore and perform CPR until Grainger County EMS arrived and took over. Efforts to revive Mr. Cogan were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

This incident marks the 14th fatal boating accident in the state this year.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Mr. Cogan’s body has been taken for an autopsy and the incident remains under investigation.