Local man drowns in Woods Reservoir

  • Published
  • By Jason Austin
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  A 29-year-old local man died Monday while swimming in Woods Reservoir at Arnold AFB.

George Mends, was swimming with friends. At some point, the swimmers headed toward the beach, but the man remained in the water, and when the other swimmers reached the beach they didn't see him and called 911.

AEDC dispatch received the call at 5:43 p.m., and Arnold Police and Fire crews responded with the first responder arriving and entering the water at 5:54 p.m. After first responders and bystanders searched for a short period, a call was placed for the Franklin County Dive Team, who recovered the body at around 7 p.m. Boats from the Arnold Security Forces and the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency were on the scene supporting the recovery efforts.

AEDC's Chaplain was on the scene and spoke with friends and family. AEDC Security Forces took statements on the scene.