Authorities said they are tired of pulling people out of the same Middle Georgia river where a 12-year-old boy drowned in October.
Two teenage swimmers were rescued from the Towaliga River at High Falls State Park Tuesday night after they became stranded. It took emergency responders two hours to get them to dry ground.
While the teenage boy and girl are safe, Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution they are expected be cited for trespassing.
“We’re getting tired of pulling folks off the falls,” said Matthew Perry, director of the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency. “This is not rocket science. Keep yourself out of the river. When it looks like this, you're going to die. Not to mention we keep sending firefighters out, but these guys have families, too.”
The rescue effort began around 6 p.m. Tuesday and involved Macon-Bibb firefighters trained in swift-water rescue, according to the agency.
The agency had issued a warning on Facebook just two days before urging local residents to take the threat of flooding presented by Subtropical Depression Alberto seriously.
“With an additional steady deluge of rain for the next three days, and gusty winds pushing in over a two day period, we expect to have issues with trees falling and roads washing away,” the agency said. “Flooding is expected. Especially in the smaller creeks and streams ... Please try to enjoy your holiday weekend, remember that we'll have men and women ready to help, but it would sure be nice if people wouldn't have to give them the chance.”
There are signs in the area warning swimmers and hikers to stay off the falls. Authorities said that a pair of brothers ignored those same signs in October 2017, and 12-year-old Christian Burdette died.
Burdette was crossing the park’s waterfall with his 17-year-old brother James Oct. 10 when they slipped at the falls’ tallest peak and plummeted about 20 feet. James Burdette was able to swim to a rock in a shallow area, but his brother never resurfaced.
MORE: 12-year-old boy drowns at state park; brother rescued
The river was full due to recent rains and was deep at parts, emergency officials told Channel 2 Action News at the time.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
The boy’s death was one of two deadly incidents at High Falls State Park in 2017. A 38-year-old Savannah woman slipped and died at the falls in May.
RELATED: Woman dies after fall at state park
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