(Union Recorder) – Two men kayaking in swift waters along the Oconee River in Milledgeville Saturday afternoon had to be rescued by local firefighters after they tried to paddle through rough waters downstream following severe thunderstorms in the area, authorities say.

A third man, who also was part of the kayaking trio, managed to get to shore on his own.

An officer with the Milledgeville Police Department said one of the three men dialed 911 on his cellphone seeking help because he was in danger of drowning.

 Fortunately, all three men escaped injury.

The incident happened shortly after 5 p.m. about a half mile south of the Oconee River Greenway.

The two men were rescued shortly before 6 p.m.

Firefighters from the city of Milledgeville, as well as Baldwin County Fire Rescue and other first responders,  were called to the scene of the Oconee Greenway where rescue boats were put into the choppy waters of the river in search of the two men.

Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency Director Wayne Johnson also responded to the rescue call.

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