HALL COUNTY, Ga. — A missing swimmer was found safe at Lake Lanier, authorities reported early Tuesday morning.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office said that 20-year-old Zachary Rutledge had been safely located after a search was initiated Monday evening.
According to the sheriff's office, he was last seen around 8:30 p.m. swimming with friends, who lost sight of him.
What happened, the sheriff's office said, is that Rutledge swam to an island and then back to a park and found his friends gone, but "he had no phone so he could not call for help." He "indicated he heard the GSP helicopters" conducting a search for him Monday night, "but he did not realize they were looking for him."
Around 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, Rutledge flagged down a sheriff' deputy.
"While this incident had a positive outcome, it serves as a good reminder to be cautious while swimming in Lake Lanier. That includes not swimming alone, communicating clearly with fellow swimmers and keeping track of those who may be in your group. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office is thankful Mr. Rutledge is safe," a release stated.
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