Tennessee Wildlife Resource Officers are investigating a fatal boating accident on Norris Lake involving a personal watercraft that collided with another boat.

John Michael Curley Jr., 59, of Knoxville, died when the personal watercraft he was operating collided with a 25-foot cuddy cabin style boat.

The incident occurred near Black Fox Access Area in Grainger County around 5:20 p.m. and marks the 12th fatal boating incident of the 2023 season.

Upon completion of the investigation, wildlife officers will present their findings to the district attorney’s office to determine if charges are warranted.

TWRA offers prayers and condolences to Curley’s family and those involved in the incident.

Ft. Loudon Boat Explosion under investigation

Four people were injured when a boat exploded and burned on Fort Loudoun Lake at Concord Marina on Saturday evening.

Wildlife officers say at approximately 6:44 p.m., a boat that had just finished fueling at the marina gas dock exploded and caught fire injuring the four occupants.

The vessel eventually burned to the waterline and sank.

All four occupants suffered burn injuries with three of the four more seriously injured victims being transported to the hospital for treatment and eventually life flighted to Vanderbilt burn center.