Photo: Screenshot from WVLT8 web site.
DANDRIDGE — Members of the Tennessee Baptist and Nolachucky Baptist Association Disaster Relief Swiftwater Rescue Team were instrumental in the recovery of the body of a 7-year-old drowning victim on July 4 in Douglas Lake in Dandridge.
WVLT 8 in Knoxville reported that Serenity Kinsey was reported missing after her family realized she has left her home during the night. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation immediately issued an AMBER Alert for Kinsey, the news station reported.
The search led volunteers to a boat dock on Douglas Lake, WVLT reported.
The Tennessee and the Nolachucky team responded to a request from the Bean Station Volunteer Fire Department, said Dale Moles, director of the DR rescue team.
While the team has been involved in rescues for nearly two years, this was their first call where they recovered a body. “It is hard, especially when it involves a child,” Moles said.
When the DR team, comprised of Moles, Brandon Ramsey, Russell France and Jeremy Elkins arrived on the scene, they were prepared to do a drone search, Moles noted, but were advised something had been spotted near the dock so they focused the search there.
After a 30-minute search the body was discovered.
Don Owen, director of Nolachucky Baptist Disaster Relief, asked Tennessee Baptists to pray for the girl’s family as they grieve over the loss of the child.
“It is for times such as this why we, as Tennessee Baptists support our disaster relief teams to insure we are ready, willing and able to meet a host of disaster response scenarios,” Owen said.
Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board said he is “thankful for our team’s willingness to do the hard jobs and help to bring closure to this family. Pray for God’s grace and comfort on the family and all responders involved as they work through this event.”
