'I Don't Want Anybody Else To Die': Mom Of Ex-Firefighter Wants Georgia Park Closed

ATLANTA, GA -- The mother of a former Atlanta firefighter who died over the weekend during a swimming accident at Sliding Rock trail at Tallulah Gorge State Park wants it park closed, Patch has learned. Tavaris Slade, 38, of Jonesboro died when he jumped in the water to save a child who was struggling, according to news reports.

Slade, who was underwater for 5 minutes, was pulled up and revived, but succumbed, Georgia Department of Natural Resources spokesman told local media. (SIGN UP: For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. Or if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

Ex-Atlanta Firefighter Dies Saving Child In Water At Tallulah Gorge

The former firefighters mother said that the state park shouldn't be open after her son's death. “I don’t want anybody else to die” Jacqueline Calhoun said, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports. “I don’t want any other mother to be in my shoes.”

Slade, an Army veteran, was the father of a 13-year-son, who was on the scene, Calhoun said. It is unknown whether the boy struggling in the water was Slade's son.

"He was a loving and devoted father to a young son," a post says on the Atlanta Fire Fighter Facebook page. "He demonstrated his love of life by being a successful health and fitness instructor. A true professional; he will be missed in our stations and on the rig."

Join your local Patch community | Like us on Facebook

Calhoun echoed those sentiments, telling a local TV station, “He loved the department, he loved the brotherhood. He loved what he did.”

Two years ago, he was injured on the job, a GoFundMe set up in his behalf says. He suffered critical medical injuries after the fire engine he was riding in hit a tree while responding to an emergency call.

Slade will be laid to rest on Aug. 19, the AJCA reports.

Image via GoFundMe