WINCHESTER, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Missouri man was killed and another man was injured in a personal watercraft collision on Tims Ford Lake Tuesday evening.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m. near the Tims Ford Bass Club boat ramp, involving two personal watercraft. Authorities identified the deceased as 41-year-old Christopher W. Bontrager from Missouri and the injured as 41-year-old John H. Prater from Tracy City.
Bontrager was pronounced dead at the scene; Prater was transported to Highpoint Health in Winchester with serious injuries.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is investigating the crash.
Officials confirmed that this incident marks the 12th boating-related fatality on Tennessee waterways in 2026.