This article courtesy of the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency website.

UPDATE: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has released the identity of the angler who lost his life in Saturday’s Douglas Lake boating accident.

Officials say 65-year-old Billy Ray Martin, of Pikeville, Kentucky died Saturday following a boating accident on Douglas Lake.

Martin and another passenger were fishing with a bass club that launched out of Walter’s Bridge Access Area early Saturday morning. At approximately 9:30 a.m., Martin’s boat collided with another boat upstream of Douglas Dam in the vicinity of Anchor Down campground.

Martin, Martin’s passenger and both occupants of the other boat were ejected into the water during the collision, according to authorities. All four individuals were wearing life jackets at the time of the accident.

Officials report the boaters were recovered by other bass fishermen and taken to the dock at Anchor Down campground. Billy Ray Martin died at the scene and his passenger was transported to UT Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Jefferson County Boating Officer Chase Rich says, “Life jackets were definitely a factor in saving several lives in this accident. When someone is in the water without a life jacket on there is always a possibility of drowning but when you add other factors such as cold water/air and extra clothing to protect from the elements, it makes survivability that much harder. Also, impacting the water at any rate of speed can increase the possibility of being knocked unconscious. That’s why the use of life jackets is always important.”

This accident remains under investigation.

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Wildlife officers with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency are investigating a fatal boating accident that occurred on Douglas Lake at approximately 9:30 Saturday morning.

Officials say two bass boats collided near Anchor Down campground. One occupant of one boat is confirmed dead and the other occupant is being treated for serious injuries at UT hospital. Both occupants of the other boat are uninjured.

Check back for updates.