Missing man found safe after disappearing Monday night at Georgia’s ‘haunted’ Lake Lanier
A Lake Lanier swimmer has been found after spending a night alone at one of the deadliest lakes in the country.
Zachary Rutledge, 20, disappeared on the Georgia lake while out swimming with his friends. When he was unable to keep up with the group, Rutledge swam alone to an island on the lake and was unable to find his friends when he swam back. He also had no phone to call for help.
After Rutledge was reported missing Monday night, authorities conducted water and aerial searches, but had negative results. Rutledge was found safe after he was able to flag down officers Tuesday morning around 9 a.m.
Rutledge later told deputies that he heard the helicopters, but didn’t know they were for him.
Georgia’s Lake Lanier has claimed over 200 lives since the ‘90s. Experts urge swimmers to never swim alone in the lake, have a way to call for help if needed and always keep track of other group members.
