Missing swimmer didn't realize search helicopters were for him when he ventured out to island on 'haunted lake'

A 20-year-old man has been safely rescued after his friends lost track of him while swimming in a notorious Georgia lake.

Zachary Rutledge had gone swimming with two friends at Burton Mill Park on Lake Lanier on Monday when the duo suddenly lost sight of him. 

Fearing the worst, they quickly called 911 and deputies from Hall County Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene at around 8.30pm to begin the search process. 

Officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Hall County Fire Rescue also conducted water searches while the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) carried out aerial searches. 

Zachary Rutledge, 20, went missing after his friends lost track of him while swimming at Burton Mill Park on Lake Lanier has been safely rescued

Cops initially believed he had swum from the shore towards an island and when he returned to find his friends, found that they had left, according to the preliminary investigation

But despite comprehensive searches, Rutledge could not be found all night and authorities were forced to resume their search the next morning. 

Cops initially believed he had swum from the shore towards an island and when he returned to find his friends, discovered that they had left, according to the preliminary investigation. 

But after he was found on at 9am on Tuesday, it was revealed that he came out of the water and chose to spend the night at the park instead since he did not have his phone and was unable to call for help. 

After he was found, Rutledge said he heard the GSP helicopters in the air but did not know they were sent for him.

Once he returned to safety, the Sheriff's Office released a statement stating that the incident 'served as a good reminder to be cautious while swimming in Lake Lanier'

After he was found, Rutledge said he heard the GSP helicopters in the air but did not know they were sent for him

Despite being a huge tourist spot, Lake Lanier is considered to be extremely dangerous due to boating traffic and submerged debris

'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,' they wrote in a Facebook post. 

Despite being a huge tourist spot, Lake Lanier is considered to be extremely dangerous due to boating traffic and submerged debris. 

Some claim the lake is 'haunted' due to the existence of an entire town underneath the water.

All swim areas at the lake are also considered to be 'swim at your own risk' as there are no lifeguards on duty. 

As of July 2024, at least 216 people have died at Lake Lanier between 1994 and 2022. In the past year itself, there were 13 deaths total at the lake including eight drownings