Russellville man, 43, drowns in Tennessee River

FLORENCE — Members of the Florence Police Department dive team on Sunday recovered a Franklin County man who had drown Saturday afternoon in the Tennessee River.

Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency Director Brad Holmes said members of the Colbert County dive team captured a sonar image on Sunday morning which led dive team members to the area where the man’s body was located.

Lauderdale County Coroner Kim Jones identified the victim as being Joshua Lee Chaney, 43, of Russellville.

Chaney was found around 11:40 a.m. about 200 yards from where he was last seen above water, Holmes said.

Chaney was found in an area of the Tennessee River that was 8 to 10 feet deep, according to Holmes.

“This was truly a collaborative effort of all agencies involved to help bring closure to this man’s family,” Holmes said. “We are extremely thankful for all the agencies assistance and their efforts over the past two days.”

First responders were called to the beach area of McFarland Park at 5:01 p.m. Saturday regarding the report of a possible drowning.

Holmes said Chaney swam out to a buoy in the river and was heading back toward the beach area, became distressed, went under and was not seen again.

Several agencies had boats and dive teams in the Tennessee River searching for Chaney at daybreak on Sunday after search efforts were suspended at 8:50 p.m. Saturday due to darkness.

Drones from the Lauderdale County EMA and Florence Police Department were in the air, as well as an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency helicopter to aid in the search.