x
Breaking News
More () »

Gwinnett firefighters recall dramatic river rescue

For the first time since Saturday's dramatic rescue from the Alcovy River, we are hearing from the heroic first responders involved.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — The first responders involved in the rescue of 11 people from the Alcovy River spoke out Tuesday at a press conference about the harrowing encounter.

Saturday afternoon, the Gwinnett County Fire Department responded to a frantic 911 call where a woman advised that multiple children were stranded in the Alcovy River's rapids.

The river, swollen due to heavy thunderstorms, caused 11 people including 10 children to be stranded on the river. 

"All of the victims were in a bad place. None of them were safe at all," firefighter Ty Suber said. "We saw multiple victims in the water and raging rapids."

This was an intense situation for all of the first responders involved.

"Seeing the people on top of the dam, the only thing going through my mind is please don't fall," Suber said. 

Firefighter Stan Bowers was among the first on the scene Saturday and said that though this was a dramatic situation, a positive mindset is important.

"We all walk in with that mentality that we will bring something good out of the situation," he said. 

"We didn't have a lot of time to think. We had to revert back to what we do."

Remembering their training and planning proved to save lives. 

"We set a plan, we stuck with it. We communicated with other crews on the scene and luckily we were able to get everybody out," Brandon Williams said.

In addition to their training, those involved said that their faith also helped them save those 11 lives.

"The Lord blessed us by being in the right place at the right time," Stan Bowers said. 

36 people were involved in this rescue, according to the Gwinnett County Fire Department.

None of those who were rescued were injured. 

Want more Lawrenceville news? Like us on Facebook.

Before You Leave, Check This Out