'We Got You Now': 3 GA Officers Save Missing Man Who Fell Into I-85 Creek

BUFORD, GA — A 77-year-old missing man who fell into a creek along Interstate 85 north near Buford was saved by three Gwinnett County Police officers this week.

Poice said Friday the Snellville man was found submerged in the creek near the interstate a day after disappearing Tuesday. The family notified officers that both he and his car were missing, and they were worried about his safety, police said.

Officers searched traffic cameras and found the man's Chrysler Pacifica parked by I-85, police said. Officers searched the area Tuesday but could not find him, leading to a Mattie's Call being issued for the man, police said.

Officers returned to the area the next morning, and while searching a wood line, police said Sgt. Brett Shirley called for the man and heard a response.

Shirley, along with Lt. John Cleland and Cpl. Andrew Palmer, climbed down to the area where they heard the man's voice and found him in a creek - which was captured on body cam footage released Friday.

The video, spanning 2 minutes and 50 seconds, seemingly shows the moments police encountered the man.

In the footage, an officer is heard telling dispatch they found a man lying on his back in the creek. The three officers appear to be lifting the man out of the water and lying him on the ground.

"You had a long night, looks like," one officer is seen telling the man. "You're going to be fine. We got you now, and we got some help on the way."

Police are seen telling the man they are will get the man blankets and get him to a hospital. One officer is seen telling another the man's back is cold from the water. The officer is then seen attempting keep the man's shoulder warm.

Paramedics are then seen arriving to the scene. An officer is heard telling paramedics that police believe the man hit a guardrail, left his car and began walking - possible the night before being found.

The video concludes with paramedics carrying the man away from the scene.

Police said the man had fallen into the creek and remained there for several officers before officers located him. The Gwinnett County Fire Department assisted with removing the man from the scene.