Several agencies collaborated over the weekend to rescue a man out of the Chattahoochee River.
Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services reportedly responded to the scene to reports of the victim with water up to his neck and screaming for help. The 911 callers advised that the victim in the water did not have a life jacket or know how to swim.
Forsyth County Fire Department requested mutual aid from the Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services swift water team, according to a Facebook post from the department.
Upon arrival, firefighters attempted to access the river behind the dispatched location using the Rapid S.O.S. application What Three Words. At the same time, S.R.T. -2 was placed on the Highway 20 bridge as a downriver safety while a Swiftwater team launched a boat from the lower pool of the Chattahoochee River.
At the same time, Johns Creek Fire Department’s swift water units were placed at the McGinnis Ferry and Highway 23 after receiving reports that the victim had lost grip and was now in the water.
Family members had lost sight of the victim, who was struggling underwater.
The Forsyth County Fire Department's Swiftwater team entered the river with two rescue swimmers after locating the victim on the Gwinnett County side of the river holding on to a piece of wood south of Bowmans Island.
Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services Swiftwater team along with the boat and three swimmers on board retrieved the victim. He was transported to the lower pool boat ramp to be assessed by paramedics.
All fire department swimmers were out of the water, and the scene was under control by 8:01 p.m. One adult was transported for evaluation to the local hospital.
