Rescues yield five total victims in Tallulah Gorge

WDUN, Rob Moore — Saturday afternoon’s two initial patients have been removed from Tallulah Gorge State Park and are on their way for medical care, but now three rescuers are receiving medical care.

“We have three additional emergency personnel on scene being treated,” Habersham County Emergency Services Director Chad Black said just before 3:30 p.m. “Two [are being treated] for heat exposure, the other was injured while in the gorge and has been extricated by DNR helicopter and is being transported also to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.”

Rescuers from local and state agencies initially responded to a pair of emergency calls in the gorge about 12:30 p.m.

Habersham County Emergency Services, Tallulah Falls Fire, Rabun County Rescue, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Lee Arrendale State Prison Fire Department, Rabun County Emergency Medical Services responded.

Black said the initial patient is being one who is being evaluated for heat and exposure the other for near drowning.

That near-drowning victim was reported resuscitated and was flown to Northeast Georgia Medical Center by an AirLife Georgia medical helicopter.

Georgia DNR Law Enforcement spokesman Mark McKinnon said details will be released later.