Two men who went kayaking and paddle boarding on Lake Lanier late Wednesday afternoon were reunited with their families Thursday morning after getting lost and spending the night on an island in the lake.
FORSYTH CO. SHERIFF’S OFFICE (FCSO) NARRATIVE:
“(Wednesday night about 9:30), Forsyth County dispatchers received a call of two males missing on Lake Lanier. Earlier in the evening, around 5pm, the two men took a kayak and a paddle board out from their cove to explore. The two men were visiting the area and were not very familiar with Lake Lanier. Unfortunately, they had left their cellphones home so they wouldn’t damage or lose them. As you could imagine, many people were concerned.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office drone team dispatched along with our Marine Unit, the Fire Department Marine boat, and a few civilian boaters, to assist in looking for the missing boaters. Once the rain came in, the search (was suspended) with the exception of the Fire Marine boat and FCSO Marine Unit. GSP Aviation was not able to activate and assist due to the weather conditions.
Public safety marine units checked all surrounding islands, inlets, creeks, and all the way out to Lanier Islands, with no sign of the two men. Around 1am this morning, the search had to be postponed until daylight hours.
After sunrise this morning, the two men were located at a hotel at Lake Lanier Islands by an employee.
FCSO Marine Patrol units went to the hotel to check with the men and verified both were safe and did not have injuries. The men explained that they got lost the evening before and stayed on an island overnight. At daylight this morning, they saw the hotel and paddled over to ask for help. Their family arrived and picked up the two men, as the FCSO Marine Unit transported the kayak and paddle board back to the house.
This was a good example of what to do if you get lost: seek help or find refuge/shelter for the night and seek help in the morning. Never try to navigate the water after dark if you are not familiar, and especially if you do not have lights. We are thankful for the outcome of this situation and are glad everyone involved is safe. #StaySafeForsyth”