WOODSTOCK, Ga. — A search and rescue operation in Woodstock ended in tragedy as police and fire crews located the remains of a 26-year-old woman who went swimming in Little River, near the area of the I-575 overpass on Tuesday.
Around 11:30 p.m. on March 7, an officer with Woodstock Police noticed a vehicle in Olde Rope Mill Park but did not see anyone in the park, according to the department.
A release explained that sometime later, the vehicle's owner contacted her mother asking her to bring dry clothes. The statement adds that once the mother got to the park, she called 911.
Firefighters who responded to the scene with police encouraged the young woman to leave the water, providing ropes and flotation devices for her. However, she refused their attempts to help, according to a release from the city.
The release states that the woman continued downstream toward Lake Allatoona, and firefighters would attempt to once again rescue her at the I-575 overpass. However, the release adds that first responders lost sight of her.
"Over 65 first responders aided in this operation," Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas said. "The agencies on the scene worked seamlessly to execute the search and rescue. Unfortunately, the results were not what we hoped. Our hearts go out to the victim's family."
The City of Woodstock stated that the young woman was a Holly Springs resident and her remains will be transported by the Cherokee Coroner's Office to the GBI for an autopsy.