The night after five teenagers were rescued from the Chattahoochee River, four more people were saved Tuesday night.
Gwinnett firefighters, along with Roswell firefighters, responded to a report of four people stranded on the rocks in the middle of the Chattahoochee River at Jones Bridge Park in Norcross, Gwinnett County fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said.
Four males, who had been fishing, were caught in the river. A female witness on the shore tried to warn them about the rising waters, but it was too late, one of them said.
While crews prepared for the rescue attempt, two of the males were swept away toward shore and were able to get out of the water, Rutledge said. The other two were swept away moments later and were saved by Gwinnett firefighters using a back-up throw-rope after the first rope broke, he said.
No injuries were reported and the four people were safe on shore around 8:45 p.m., about 20 minutes after the crews arrived.
Rivergoers should be mindful of the water release schedules from Buford Dam, Rutledge said, adding that the current and water level from the dam release earlier Tuesday reached Jones Bridge Park late Tuesday.
"We are fortunate that tonight's incident ended in a positive outcome," he said.
On June 3, 9-year-old Anna Van Horn drowned while tubing in the river, possibly in the wake of a Buford Dam water release.
The National Park Service reportedly is considering tougher restrictions for river revelers.
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