Swimmer vanishes near waterfall after jumping in lake to get his dog, GA officials say
A man disappeared on an Atlanta-area lake after swimming out to his dog, Georgia officials say.
Rescuers were called at about 9:45 a.m. Thursday, July 20, after the 54-year-old went missing near the Little River Boat Ramp on Lake Allatoona, according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources.
Witnesses said the man went into the water to get his dog when he went under near the falls in the Little River, officials said in a release.
Divers with Cherokee County Fire Rescue found his body in 15 feet of water soon after.
Authorities identified the man as Jackie Merrell of Ellijay, the release said. He was taken to a hospital where he died.
Additional details weren’t released.
Drownings in U.S.
An estimated 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day.”
Lake Allatoona is about 30 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.
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