Union County Residents Grieve for 25-Year-Old James Bailey Following Deadly Boating Accident at Norris Lake

 UNION COUNTY, Tenn. — A serene Saturday dawn on Norris Lake turned tragic when two boats crashed close to the Highway 33 Bridge, resulting in the death of 25-year-old James Bailey from Maynardville and injuring two other individuals, as reported by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

Officials state the incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. when one boat, carrying two people, collided with another vessel occupied by Bailey in open waters. The two individuals who survived were airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, where they are currently receiving treatment for their injuries.

Bailey was first considered missing after the incident, prompting a thorough search that included TWRA officers, dive teams, and local rescue teams. After hours of recovery efforts, officials announced that his body had been found in the lake and sent to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.

The TWRA has not disclosed any details regarding what caused the deadly accident or if factors like speed, visibility, or alcohol played a role. Officials have stressed that the investigation is ongoing as they assess damage to the boats, gather witness accounts, and evaluate environmental conditions from that morning.

This incident marks the 26th deadly boating collision in Tennessee in the year 2025, highlighting increasing safety worries for boaters statewide. The TWRA is advising individuals visiting the lake to wear life jackets, adhere to boating regulations, and exercise increased caution near bridges and congested areas.

In Maynardville, a heavy pall of sorrow hangs over the community. Friends recall James Bailey as a warm-hearted young man who had a passion for nature and often enjoyed weekends on the lake with family and friends. “He was always so lively — perpetually smiling and ready to assist others,” shared a close companion. “It’s hard to believe he’s gone.”

Local citizens have started making arrangements for a candlelight vigil near the Norris Lake Marina to celebrate Bailey’s life and to pray for the recovery of the two injured survivors.

As the inquiry progresses, uncertainty lingers regarding the cause of the impact between the two boats on what started as a tranquil November morning. However, for the Bailey family and the broader Union County community, one reality remains painfully evident — a life brimming with potential was cut short far too early.