Missing 77-year-old was submerged in creek for hours. Then officers heard his cries
A missing Georgia man was rescued after spending several hours submerged in an Atlanta-area creek, police said.
On Tuesday, Aug. 20, police were called about a missing 77-year-old man from Snellville, according to the Gwinnett Police Department.
The man’s family said they were worried after they couldn’t reach him, telling police his car was also missing and that he was possibly suffering a mental health issue, the department said in a news release.
Officers checked traffic cameras in the area and spotted the man’s Chrysler Pacifica parked along Interstate 85 near Buford, a city about 10 miles northeast. They searched the area and, after they couldn’t find him, issued a Mattie’s Call — a special alert for disabled or older adults who are missing.
Officers returned to the area the next morning in hopes of finding the missing man.
“While searching the wood line along the interstate, Sgt. Brett Shirley called out for the male and heard a response,” police said. “Sgt. Shirley, Lt. John Cleland, and Cpl. Andrew Palmer climbed down to the area where they heard the male’s voice and found him lying in a creek.”
Body camera video shared by police shows the man on his back in about a foot of water. Officers believe he fell into the creek and was stuck for hours.
“Can you hear me?” police ask him.
“I can hear you,” the man replies.
Together, the officers pulled him from the water and placed him on dry ground as they waited for paramedics to arrive, according to the video. He was then taken to a hospital, police said.
Police couldn’t confirm how long he was in the water, though officers estimate it was “about 12 hours,” according to the body camera video.
The man’s condition wasn’t known as of Aug. 23.
McClatchy News reached out to Gwinnett police for more information on Friday and was awaiting a response.
Buford is about a 40-mile drive northeast from downtown Atlanta.
This story was originally published August 23, 2024 at 1:43 PM with the headline "Missing 77-year-old was submerged in creek for hours. Then officers heard his cries."