Firefighters rescued 10 children and an adult who got caught in the rapids of a Gwinnett County river Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

First responders received a call about a group of people trapped in the Alcovy River at Freeman’s Mill Park just before 5 p.m., Gwinnett fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said.

When firefighters arrived, they saw 11 people who were in “immediate danger.” A group of children was on the rocks below the waterfalls while a father and another child were stuck on top of the falls in the middle of the river, Rutledge said.

The people at the river got trapped when a thunderstorm caused water levels to rise, creating treacherous rapids, authorities said.

A child who was about to go over a 10-foot drop was rescued first by two firefighters who tied a rope to themselves and entered the river, Rutledge said.

The others were given floats and life vests until crews could pull them from the water. The entire rescue operation took about an hour.

The group was at the park having a multifamily picnic near the edge of the water, authorities said, and there were posted signs cautioning patrons not to enter the river.

It’s unclear how long the family had been stuck in the water before being rescued.

In other news: 

Surveillance video shows the moments a masked man shattered the drive-thru window with a hammer before reaching inside the store and taking the cash drawer.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin poses for a photograph at her residence on Monday, January 13, 2025. In this moment, she reflects on her legacy and the significant accomplishments of her tenure.
(Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Former District Attorney Jackie Johnson smiles at a supporter who took her hand Monday after Senior Judge John R. Turner dismissed one of the two charges she faced.

Credit: Terry Dickson/ The Brunswick News