A Sparta man lost his life Wednesday evening while swimming at the Johnson's Chapel area. 

DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray released the following information Thursday morning. 

"On July 17th, 2019 at 4:47 pm, DeKalb Central Dispatch received a call of a possible drowning at the Johnson’s Chapel Boat Ramp. When Deputies arrived on the scene, they found the victim receiving CPR.

The victim has been identified as 73 year old Joe Elkins of White County Tennessee.

It appears Elkins and another person were swimming at the Johnson’s Chapel Boat Ramp area when Elkins was found to be struggling in the water. The person who was swimming with Elkins tried to retrieve Elkins from the water and also shouted to other people who were in the area for help. Elkins was pulled out of the water and CPR was administered to Elkins at that time.

Elkins was transported to St Thomas DeKalb by DeKalb EMS where he was pronounced deceased. Elkins’ body has been transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Nashville for an autopsy. The case is pending," continued Sheriff Ray.

DeKalb EMS and the Smithville/DeKalb County Rescue Squad assisted the Sheriff’s Department on the scene.