Crime & Safety

Chattachoochee River Distress Call Deemed 'Good Intent,' No One Found

There were no reports of missing kayakers Saturday evening.

In what could have been another frightening incident on the Chattahoochee River, Gwinnett County firefighters searched but did not find a distressed kayaker Saturday evening.

They summed it up as a "good intent call" by concerned witnesses.

At approximately 8:41 p.m., firefighters responded to a report of a possible kayaker in distress on the Chattahoochee River near Jones Bridge Park in Peachtree Corners.


A witness believed a man may have been trying to exit the river, but went further downstream. The man remained in the area of the shoals before continuing down the river, officials said in a press release.

"It is believed that the man floated further downstream and may have exited the river in the Roswell area," said Capt. Tommy Rutledge, in the press release. "The man was wearing a life jacket and was not signaling for help according to bystanders."

Rescue teams, including those from Gwinnett County, Roswell and Johns Creek assisted in the search, which was made challenging by dense fog and swift currents.

They were unable to locate anyone in or along the river in need of help. And, there have been no reports of a missing kayaker during the evening.


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