Jacob Sanders Search Update: Velcro Pygmies Bassist Likely Dead After Boat Crash, Recovery Efforts Stalled

Jacob Sanders is feared dead as search efforts have turned to recovery for the Velcro Pygmies bassist believed to have drowned after his boat capsized while on a fishing trip.

Sanders was fishing with his brother, Jeremiah, on the Tennessee River in Alabama when their boat apparently crashed into some kind of obstruction and capsized. Authorities said the boat was badly damaged, and there was no sign of either brother.

“The boat was pinned under one of the pilings on the bridge on the Wilson Dam side. From what I was told, I didn’t actually see it myself, it was some kind of impact…some kind of accident that the boat had. The hull had pretty substantial damage to it,” said Tim Greer, EMA Director (via ABC 3340).

After more than two days of searching for Jacob Sanders, rescue crews believe they located his body in the river but have yet been unable to reach it. The Velcro Pygmies gave fans a bleak update on Facebook, saying that crews were unable to recover the bodies of Jeremiah and Jacob Sanders on Saturday.

“At about 8:30 this morning TVA shut off the dam giving us what we thought would be perfect recovery conditions. The divers went in and soon were faced with the unexpected challenge of the water level being too low. They found themselves in waist deep water which contrary to conventional wisdom made it nearly impossible to search. Our 3 hour time limit came rapidly and TVA was forced to turn on the turbines again. This increased the water level but also created an unsafe current in which to dive.”

The band also reported that a specialized recovery team trained in technical extractions will join the effort on Sunday. If that is still not successful, the TVA will then shut down the dam or dramatically reduce the water flow so divers can attempt to retrieve the bodies of the brothers.

Prayers for the family of Jacob and Jeremiah Sanders and the Velcro Pygmies! So very sad….? pic.twitter.com/22uKZIV0c0

— Leigh Bryant (@MissLeigh65) March 5, 2016

Jacob Sanders, 24, who is the bassist for the group Velcro Pygmies a popular band from Louisville, Kentucky was… https://t.co/Roji9lUDq3

— Jerrie Dean (@JerrieDean) March 5, 2016

As the band noted, recovery crews are fairly certain they have found the right location.

“Based on the K9 unit they are fairly sure they’ve pinpointed the location of Jeremiah and Jacob. Once again tomorrow we will be welcoming all friends to the upper parking lot nearest the Tourist Center at Mcfarland Park at 9am.”

The band had been keeping fans updated about the search for Jacob, even using the platform to call for help. In one post, the band asked if local veterans could join search efforts in the area around the river, and in another asked if anyone had access to a drone that could search the areas harder to access by foot.

Jacob Sanders had been playing bass for the Velcro Pygmies, a popular cover band that plays up to 200 shows a year, often traveling across the country. The band has something of a rotating lineup, with only the lead singer and drummer staying the same.

As the band’s official website noted, Jacob was known as Sandman and was particularly well-liked by fans.

“Keen style, piercing crystal blue eyes and God-given good looks can be deceptive when it comes to Jacob Sanders. Not only are the women enchanted with his appearance, but they melt with the bass he lays down, and they are more than willing to pick it up. His instrument, like him, are guaranteed to satisfy.”

Cameron Flener, the lead vocalist and founder of the Velcro Pygmies, said it was the band who first learned that Jacob Sanders was missing. Sanders was supposed to show up for a band meeting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, but never came.

“That’s when we started to get worried,” Flener told WLKY.

While the efforts to recover the bodies of Jeremiah and Jacob Sanders continues, the Velcro Pygmies have canceled their upcoming shows.

[Image via Facebook]