The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency attempted to perform a rescue on Jan. 1 when a kayaker at Pepper Branch Park became unresponsive. 

Terry Scott, 51, was reportedly helping another kayaker get unstuck on Sunday and became unresponsive when he returned to his kayak. McMinnville Police Department assisted the TWRA in locating him with the help of drones. 

Responders had to rescue Scott from the water and attempted to revive him. According to McMinnville Police Lt. Detective Tony Jenkins, after attempting to revive Scott he was then transported to Ascension Saint Thomas River Park Hospital. Scott was pronounced dead at the hospital. Rescuers believe the cause of death was a heart attack, but it is still under investigation.

The Southern Standard attempted to contact the TWRA for more information, but were unsuccessful. More information will be released as it becomes available.