May 23, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
A 36 year old Spring Hill man, who had just celebrated a birthday, lost his life in a lake accident on Center Hill Lake Saturday.
Dead is Stephen Kyle Anderson.
DeKalb Central Dispatch (911) received the call at 2:36 p.m.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that Anderson, his wife, and two other couples were on the lake celebrating Anderson’s birthday which was on Friday, May 21. Tragedy struck after Anderson decided to climb a rock bluff to jump off into the lake. While attempting to climb the bluff, the rocks Anderson were holding onto gave way and Anderson fell and rolled down the bluff hitting several rocks along the way before plunging into the water. TWRA was summoned and brought in an Aquatic Robot device from Chattanooga. With the robot, officers were able to locate Anderson’s body at a depth of approximately 165 feet. After the body was recovered the medical examiner ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department Officers were assisted by other agencies including the TWRA, members from the Smithville/DeKalb County Rescue Squad, and Rangers from the US Corps of Engineers.