EMA Rescues Two From Water During Polar Bear Paddle.
1st Annual Polar Bear Paddle Was A Huge Success According To Organizers!
SEE EXCLUSIVE VIDEO OF THE WATER RESCUE BELOW!
Scores of paddlers put in at the newest boat ramp on the Etowah River Saturday afternoon for the first annual Polar Bear Paddle.
The city of Rome used the occasion to honor former assistant city manager Jim Dixon. The ramp was named Dixon’s Landing in honor of Dixon who retired last month after years of service with the city. Dixon worked for more than ten years to make the ramp into the Etowah River at the sports complex a reality.
The Dixon’s Landing ramp, which is actually the only ramp into the Etowah west of Cartersville, is located near the Grizzard Soccer complex off the east by-pass in Rome.
Close to 75 canoes, or kayaks and even a boogie board was put into the water for the two-hour trip to Heritage Park in downtown Rome.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the near 6 mile trip with very little trouble. However, one canoe hit a submerged tree according to Emergency Management Director Scotty Hancock and capsized dumping the two occupants into the chilly water.
EMA volunteers quickly responded to the overturned boat and pulled the mother and young boy from the water. Hancock said, ‘Luckily they had their life jackets on. It could have been much worse”.
The two were taken to Heritage Park where they were given hot chocolate and thermal blankets. Other then being a bit cold from the chilly water, they were fine Hancock said.
You must be logged in to post a comment.