Missing swimmer didn’t realize search helicopters were for him when he ventured out to island on ‘haunted lake’
A 20-year-old man has been safely rescued after his friends lost him while swimming in a notorious Georgia lake.
Zachary Rutledge was swimming with two friends at Burton Mill Park on Lake Lanier on Monday when the two suddenly lost sight of him.
Fearing the worst, they quickly called 911 and deputies from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene around 8:30 p.m. to begin the search.
Officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Hall County Fire Rescue also conducted water searches, while the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) conducted an aerial search.
Zachary Rutledge, 20, disappeared after his friends lost him while swimming at Burton Mill Park on Lake Lanier and has been rescued safely
According to the preliminary investigation, officers initially believed he had swum from shore to an island and when he returned to look for his friends, they had left.
Despite extensive searches, Rutledge could not be found throughout the night and authorities had to resume their search the next morning.
According to preliminary investigation, officers initially thought he had swum from the shore to an island, but when he returned to look for his friends, they had left.
But after he was found at 9am on Tuesday, it turned out he had gotten out of the water and chosen to spend the night in the park. He didn’t have his phone with him and so couldn’t call for help.
After he was found, Rutledge said he heard the GSP helicopters overhead but didn’t know they were coming toward him.
Once he was safe, the sheriff’s office released a statement saying the incident was “a good reminder to be careful while swimming in Lake Lanier.”
After he was found, Rutledge said he heard the GSP helicopters overhead but didn’t know they had been sent for him
Despite being a major tourist attraction, Lake Lanier is considered extremely dangerous due to boat traffic and submerged debris
While this incident had a positive outcome, it is a good reminder to use caution when swimming in Lake Lanier.
“This includes not swimming alone, communicating clearly with your fellow swimmers and keeping an eye on who is in your group,” they wrote on Facebook. after.
Although Lake Lanier is a major tourist attraction, it is considered extremely dangerous due to boat traffic and submerged debris.
Some claim the lake is ‘haunted’ because there is an entire city beneath the water’s surface.
All swimming areas at the lake are subject to a swim-at-your-own-risk ban as there are no lifeguards on duty.
As of July 2024, at least 216 people have died at Lake Lanier between 1994 and 2022. Last year, there were a total of 13 deaths at the lake, including eight drownings.