PHOTO: A parks worker and the Fort Payne Police Department block off the entrance to the parking lot near G.E. Hill Bridge on Highway 35. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)
By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Confirmed by the Fort Payne Fire Department, a teen drowned near the G.E. Hill bridge in the Little River Canyon National Preserve on Highway 35. The incident occurred around 1:30 - 2 pm. The victim was an 18 year old male from Adairsville, Georgia and the body was recovered today at approximately 3:15 pm.
The Fort Payne Police Department, Fort Payne Fire Department, and the Fischer Rescue Squad responded to the scene today after receiving the call from dispatch. The Cherokee County Rescue squad also dispatched a dive team to recover the body after being notified by the Alabama Highway Patrol.
According to rescuers, the teen was swimming with friends, became fatigued, and slipped under the surface. When he failed to surface, the others notified emergency services.
This is the second death in Little River Canyon this week, with a photographer falling earlier in the week.
