Man Drowns in Rain-Swollen Norcross Area Creek

Two men were attempting to cross a rain-swollen creek to get from one apartment complex the next yesterday evening, when they were swept away by the current. One man's body was located this morning just outside the Gwinnett County line. 

The two friends set out afternoon from the Wesley Park Apartments at 1780 Graves Road in an unincorporated area of Norcross, according to Cpt. Tommy Rutledge of the Gwinnett County Fire Department. They attempted to cross a creek that firefighters say that had crossed before, but it was up 8 to 10 feet after heavy rain.

“A sudden gush of rushing water swept them over into the middle of the creek,” according to Rutledge. One man was able to hold on to the other but eventually lost his grip because of the current. One of the men was washed downstream about 100 feet then was able to escape from the steam. 

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 6:02 p.m. Monday (Sept. 5), and commenced a search until dark. They continued at 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, with family and friends conducting their own searches, Rutledge reported.

The missing man's body was spotted by a resident around 11 a.m. adjacent to the Wood Terrace Apartments inside the DeKalb County line. The name of the victim has not yet been released. 

“Conditions on Monday were simply too treacherous to attempt to cross due to the rain,” said Rutledge. “Firefighters say that you should never attempt to cross a rain-swollen creek and should avoid being in or near a moving body of water, especially during and immediately after a period of heavy rain."