Missing Swimmer In Lake Lanier Safe After Flagging Down GA Deputy

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA — A 20-year-old swimmer who disappeared Monday night at Lake Lanier has been found safe, the Hall County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.

Authorities said Zachary Rutledge, a Winder man who spent the night at Burton Mill Park at Lake Lanier, flagged down a Hall County deputy who patrolled the park around 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Deputies first began searching for Rutledge around 8:30 p.m. Monday after friends said they lost track of him while swimming in the lake.

The friends did not know if Rutledge had walked away from the park or if he was still in the water, authorities said.

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The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Hall County Fire Rescue conducted water searches while the Georgia State Patrol performed aerial searches. Rutledge was not found, authorities said.

Rutledge had swam from the park's shore to an island and later returned to the park, where he figured his friends had left him, authorities said.

With no cell phone, Rutledge was not able to call for help, authorities said. Though he heard the GSP helicopters, authorities said Rutledge did not realize they were searching for him.

"While this incident had a positive outcome, it serves as a good reminder to be cautious
while swimming in Lake Lanier. That includes not swimming alone, communicating clearly
with fellow swimmers and keeping track of those who may be in your group. The Hall
County Sheriff’s Office is thankful Mr. Rutledge is safe," authorities said in a news release.

Lake Lanier goes through Buford, Cumming and Gainesville.