(Northwest Georgia News) – The Rome-Floyd County Fire Department’s rescue boat got some use Saturday afternoon, coming to the aid of kayakers and tubers who were caught on the Etowah River during a storm that swept through the area.
Lt. Brandy Starcher with Floyd County 911 said there were two incidents where emergency personnel had to assist some people on the Etowah River on Saturday afternoon.
The rescue boat was launched after 911 reported around 2:30 p.m. Saturday that a pair of 16-year-olds had gone “missing” on the river. The teens had launched from Grizzard Park with a group of four adults earlier in the day.
Firefighters, with the assistance of Rome police, were able to get the two out of the river and up an embankment behind Goodwill, 154 Hicks Drive, shortly after 3 p.m. There were no injuries reported.
In the second incident, a call came into 911 shortly before 3 p.m. that some tubers on the Etowah needed help. A woman and two boys were picked up on the Etowah downstream from Grizzard Park by the rescue boat. The group, along with their tubes, was brought back to the boat launch at the park off Veterans Memorial Highway. Also, no injuries were reported.
