From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden:
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Earlier today at approximately 1 pm, search crews located the missing
swimmer at High Falls Park near Geraldine.
A person was reported missing while swimming at High Falls Park late Monday afternoon. The
DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Fischer Rescue Squad, High Falls Park Staff, Geraldine Rescue
Squad, DeKalb County EMA, Fort Payne Fire, Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, Powell Fire,
Hendrixville Fire and ALEA participated in the search for the subject.
The following day, heavy rain from Hurricane Ida forced crews to postpone the search until the
following day.
This morning, crews continued the search after the heavy rain had ceased. At approximately 1
pm, the subject was located alive on a rock in the river.
The subject was transported by DeKalb Ambulance Service with minor injuries and is expected
to make a full recovery.
DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident: “This subject is very, very fortunate
to have made it out of this situation alive. I’d like to thank our deputies and our search team for
not giving up.”
“If these guys would have given up, the outcome in this search might have been much different.
This is the reason why these guys don’t give up, even if the situation seems hopeless,” said
Sheriff Welden.
“God Bless!” Concluded Sheriff Welden.