COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Three drownings in three years at one spot on the Chattahoochee River have firefighters wondering why victims keep making the same mistakes.
The latest drowning happened last Friday.
Cobb County firefighters recovered the body of Aaron Asher Daniels, 18, near the diving rock.
A man who was nearby when it happened says it’s a moment he will never forget.
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“I see a young man flailing, screaming out for help,” said Sir Barton. “By the time I get to the water's edge the young man had disappeared and I couldn’t get to him.”
Barton says that moment gives him nightmares.
“Me hearing the young man's scream, it's taken a toll on me because I haven't been able to get to sleep much at night and I feel like it was my fault because I didn't get a chance to save him and reach him in time,” Barton said.
Cobb County firefighters told Channel 2’s Matt Johnson that the problem is not people jumping from the rock, it's from people navigating the tricky water to get to it.
“It's not something that we as the fire department would recommend, definitely it requires a certain level of swimming ability,” said Cobb County fire Lt. Ryan Fleeman.
They say the water in that area can be deceiving. It’s shallow where you enter but can be 20 feet deep just a few yards away.
“It's also very fast-moving water, so when they're beginning to swim it can tax their swimming skills, with the cold water and the distance and the moving water,” Fleeman said.
None of the drowning victims in the past three years have worn life preservers.
Barton says he’d like to see someone posted up near diving rock during peak hours to keep watch.
“Definitely have somebody posted down here, have a little station set up, have some kayaks, some water rings and pretty much a real lifeguard down here,” he said.
Fire fighters say swimmers following basic safety tips like wearing a life jacket will do more than any lifeguard could.
“When someone's in danger, natural instinct may be to sometimes to panic, and the life preserver can take over can give you a chance,” Fleeman said.
Cobb County firefighters have ordered new sonar equipment to help find people in the water and expect to have it on their rescue boat by the end of the month.
Cox Media Group
