For the second time recently, a Georgia resident died in a national preserve area in northeast Alabama, officials said.

Friday afternoon, 18-year-old Luis Rodriguez of Adairsville drowned at Little River Falls at the Little River Canyon National Preserve, according to the Rome News-Tribune/northwestgeorgianews.com.

The body was recovered about 2:40 p.m., according to the news website.

The teen was swimming with friends when the incident occurred, according to a news release from park ranger Larry Beane. People nearby called 911, and several agencies responded.

Rescuers found Rodriguez at the bottom of the falls.

Last Tuesday, William Greg McCary, 57, of Rome, died after he fell about 50 feet after he climbed over a protective railing at the preserve, officials said.

The preserve is part of the National Park Service.

Read more about the story here (subscription site).

In other news:

About the Author

Keep Reading

Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, among others, will no longer be considered fee-free days at U.S. National Parks. While the MLK National Historic Park in Atlanta doesn't charge admission, the new schedule will affect such metro Atlanta sites as Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez