WINCHESTER, Tenn. (WTVF) — A collision between two personal watercraft on Tims Ford Lake Tuesday evening left one man dead and another seriously injured, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
The incident occurred around 5:20 p.m. near the Tims Ford Bass Club boat ramp. Preliminary reports indicate that Christopher W. Bontrager, 41, of Missouri, and John H. Prater, 41, of Tracy City, were operating separate watercraft that collided.
Nearby boaters assisted in bringing the men to shore. Bontrager was pronounced dead at the scene, while Prater was transported to Highpoint Health in Winchester for serious injuries.
Authorities took a blood sample from Prater for alcohol testing. The cause of Bontrager's death is still under investigation, with officials determining whether it was due to injuries from the collision or drowning.
The TWRA is actively investigating the incident. As of 2026, there have been 12 boating-related fatalities on Tennessee waterways.