Body of missing boater recovered from Kentucky Lake

CALLOWAY COUNTY, Ky. -- The body of a man reported missing man who was reported overthrown from a boat on Kentucky Lake was recovered Sunday afternoon.

After multiple local and state agencies resumed search and recovery operations on Kentucky Lake Sunday morning, the Calloway County 911 Communications Center received a call around 2 p.m. from a fisherman on a boat near the opening of Blood River. The caller reported seeing what he believed to be a body in the water.

Emergency responders from Calloway County Fire-Rescue (CCFR), along with resources from the Marshall County Rescue Squad & McCracken County Rescue Squad, immediately responded in boats to the area to investigate & secure the area.

Upon arrival, responders confirmed the discovery of the body of 51-year-old Steve Simpkins. His remains were recovered from the water and transported to shore, where he was released to the care of Calloway County Coroner Ricky Garland.

ORIGINAL STORY (from West Kentucky Star)

According to Calloway County Fire and Rescue, the incident occurred around 7 a.m. CDT near the Hamlin area. One of the men was able to swim to a nearby island and call for help. Emergency dispatchers with Calloway County 911 were able to trace the caller's phone location, allowing responders to locate and rescue him within 30 minutes.

The boat was found further down the lake still under power, going in circles in the lake.

The Calloway County Fire and Rescue Squad posted that six other emergency management crews have joined in the search from Marshall, Graves, McCracken and Calloway counties with multiple boats conducting sonar searches.