Two subjects were floating down the chattahoochee river when their vessel drifted into a tree lying in the water. The vessel became entrapped due to strong water current. The man on the front of the vessel tried to push them off the tree causing the vessel to overturn into the water. Both subjects held onto the boat with operator on the bow and occupant on the stern drifting down stream. Operator threw a type iv pfd to occupant to hold onto. Operator could not hold onto the boat and broke lose floating on his back alone. He could still see the boat and his friend. A vessel came upon him and helped him on to the bank on the fulton county side of the river. Operator told vessel to help his friend but when vessel turned his boat around all he saw was the type iv pfd floating and the boat missing. He went back and picked up Operator and they put a lifejacket in a tree where occupant and the vessel was last seen marking the spot. operator was taken to abbotts bridge boat ramp. Operator was transported to the gwinnett medical in duluth. The search for occupant was then conducted by dnr and other agengies for recovery.

The doctors stated that operator suffered a mild heart attack when he entered the cold water. Operator was transported to st. Joseph hosptial in atlanta for surgery.
DULUTH                        