The bodies of three men were found in the Mississippi River close to Memphis, Tennessee, on Wednesday, after they went missing while fishing and swimming on a sandbar.
The individuals, aged from their 20s to their 50s, were reported missing on Tuesday evening near a boat ramp located at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, approximately 13 miles north of Memphis, according to authorities.
Search and rescue teams from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies in the Memphis area commenced their search for the men on Tuesday evening. The search was eventually suspended due to darkness, as stated by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
Three men who went missing while fishing and swimming on a Mississippi River sandbar near Memphis have been found dead following an extensive search by Shelby County authorities. (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office; via AP)
Officials say the area has become increasingly popular but the river is treacherous, with several other hazards including strong currents, submerged items, branches and debris.
“There are eddy currents that can pull an Olympic swimmer under. You can be drawn into the channel and find yourself staring at a 24-unit barge that’s the size of a skyscraper on its side coming straight at you with no way for the barge crew to have any idea that you are there,” the fire department said on Facebook.
A search team on the water where the men were found. (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office)
Yanes’ family told Fox 10 News that he has six children, the youngest of whom is 12 years old.
Doug Ammons, the owner of a general store a few miles from the river, told the outlet that the river is “lethally dangerous.”
“This is a horrific tragedy right here, and it happens way too often,” Ammons said. “But I understand how it happens. The probability of one-on-one taking on the mighty Mississippi, you’re going to lose. Especially without a flotation device.”
