Fire Dept. Rescues Fishermen from River at Gwinnett Park

Four men fishing Tuesday evening in the Chattachoochee River at Jones Bridge Park were rescued by Gwinnett firefighters after the river water suddenly rose, stranding them on the rocks at the popular Peachtree Corners park.

Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services along with Roswell firefighters responded to the call and found two males in their late teens or early 20s and two younger male teens stranded on the rocks.

 While crews were preparing the rescue ropes, two of the men were swept off the rocks, plunging them into the river's strong current, said Capt. Tommy Rutledge of the Gwinnett Fire & Rescue Services in a report issued Wednesday morning.

Fortunately the current carried the two fishermen closer to shore where they were able to get out of the river on their own.

Moments later the other two men who were also stranded were swept from the rocks but were rescued by Gwinnett firefighters using throw-ropes. No injuries were reported, and all four men returned home.

One of the fishermen told firefighters they were together fishing when the water began to quickly rise.  According to Rutledge's report, "a female witness on the shore attempted to warn the rivergoers of the rising waters, but by the time they acted it was too late."

Rutledge also reminded anyone using the river to read the posted signs at the river parks and contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for water release schedules from Buford Dam.  

"We are fortunate that tonight's incident ended in a positive outcome," said Rutledge.