THOMAS CO., GA (WALB) - Three people were rescued from Ochlocknee River Tuesday night after getting stuck about a mile from a boat ramp near Highway 19 and Boat Ramp Road, across from Egg and Butter Road in Thomas County.
The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, the fire department and Swift Water Rescue all responded to the scene just after 6 p.m.
Thomas County Fire Chief Jones said that two men and a woman got trapped on Ochlocknee River after they used an air mattress as a raft.
Jones said that the mattress got swept up in the current and popped, leaving the three stranded about a mile from the boat ramp. He said they made it to high ground but couldn’t make it back because the water was too high, it was dark and the currents were strong.
According to Jones, the three had no alternate routes, but were rescued around 7:30 p.m.
“This is a very low frequency, doesn’t happen very often, but it’s a very high risk endeavor to put our personnel in those type of conditions at dark, trying to find, basically a needle in a haystack,” said Jones.
Jones said no one was injured and officials are working to clear the scene.
Officials said it is unclear why the three decided to go out on the river at night.
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