Firefighters Rescue Man From Chattahoochee River

SUWANEE, GA -- Gwinnett County firefighters on Thursday rescued a stranded man who was swimming in the Chattahoochee River for the first time.

Firefighters responded at 5:35 p.m. to find a man stranded on a rock in the river near Settles Bridge in Suwanee.

The man was visiting the Chattahoochee for the first time, and was unaware of water being released from Buford Dam, Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said.

He was taken by surprise, Rutledge said, when rapidly rising water and a swift current swept up on him.

As firefighters arrived, the  man lost his footing and was swept off of the rock. Two bystanders were already in the water trying to help the man, but they became at risk of becoming victims themselves because of the rapidly rising water, Rutledge said.

A medic crew arrived and was able to deploy a "throw rope bag" and successfully pull the man out of the river as he was being carried away downstream.

 “This rescue is a testament to the training and quick action of emergency responders,” said Rutledge. "The crew members realized that they had to move fast or things were about to get worse."

As a precaution, Rutledge said, the man was transported to Northside Hospital Forsyth for medical evaluation. He did not appear to be injured.

Water generation from Buford Dam, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was in progress Thursday from 3:55-7:10 p.m.

Visitors to the river are encouraged to stay out of the water during generation times and until swift currents and water levels recede. 

(File photo courtesy Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services)