BUTTS COUNTY, Ga. — A kayaker who fell into Ocmulgee River Rapids on Sunday was holding on for dear life when he was rescued, according to the Butts County Fire & Emergency Services.
“When I got the call originally, I thought this was going to be a bad deal,” said Sgt. Travis Swift with the Department of Natural Resources. “Just because of the water and the level it was.”
A team dove in to help Jasper County deputies, finding the kayaker and their friends and rescuing them from serious trouble due to heavy rain. Rough waters threw them from their boats and sent them downstream.
“You’ve got to be prepared before you do these little adventures, it could have been bad,” said Chief Wesley Johnston with Butts County Fire and Rescue. “They got lucky last night.”
Officials said the team worked alongside Jasper County deputies, Butts County deputies and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to find the kayaker and his friends who “were stranded on an island.”
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Firefighters said everyone was rescued safely, though one person was taken to a local emergency room for a medical evaluation.
None of them had a lifejacket on, officials said. it took several hours to find the remaining stranded kayaker, who was four miles down river from the island and clutching a tree in the middle of the churning water.
“We want to remind everyone about Fast Currents After Heavy Rain,“ the emergency department said. ”Recent rains may have rivers running higher and faster than usual.”
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To help those taking a kayak or canoe out on the water after it rains, here are the fire department’s safety recommendations:
- Check river conditions before you go — rising, muddy water can hide serious hazards.
- Postpone your trip if currents are too strong or debris is present. No adventure is worth the risk.
- Wear a life jacket — always. It’s the one thing that should never stay in the truck.
- Stay in visual contact with your paddling partner, and file a float plan with someone on shore.
- Avoid strainers and low-head dams, especially in flood conditions. These can be deadly traps.
The department also said that if conditions look risky, wait to leave shore, saying “the river isn’t going anywhere, make sure you are.”
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