Lucky To Be Alive: Teen Swept Away After Jumping into Chattahoochee

A Gwinnett County teenager is lucky to be alive after showing what not to do on the Chattahoochee River when hot weather requires increased electricity generation upstream at Buford Dam.

Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said in a news release that the teen jumped off an old bridge structure near Settles Bridge Park and was swept away by the current Monday evening around 7:30 p.m. The teen, believed to be around 18 years old, floated downstream and exited the river around a mile away from where he jumped in.

Rutledge said the river was turbulent at the time due to generation from the dam.

“We are fortunate that tonight’s incident had a positive outcome and that the victim was located out of the water and safe,” Rutledge said.

Rescue crews responded at 7:39 p.m. to a report of a person in distress on the river. The teen reportedly was at the river with a group of friends when the incident happened.

The Gwinnett Police helicopter was requested to search the area, and additional fire units were sent to McGinnis Ferry and Abbotts Bridge to establish downstream safety positions. The Gwinnett Fire rescue boat also assisted in the search.

The teen, who got out of the water on his own, was taken to a local hospital (non-emergency) for evaluation after he was exposed to the cold Chattahoochee water.

Rutledge said warm weather means an increase in recreational activity on the river and an increase in accidents. The warmer weather also means an increased demand for electricity as residents begin to use air conditioning more frequently.

“Firefighters warn rivergoers to pay attention to generation times at Buford Dam and to stay off the river until the swift current and water level recedes,” Rutledge said in the news release. “People should never climb on old bridge structures and should avoid jumping into the river from elevated platforms.”

The teen was not identified and his medical condition was not released due to privacy laws.