MONROE COUNTY, Ga. — When a father and son were clinging to their kayak in the Ocmulgee River this morning, an alligator was lurking 75 yards away - but that wasn't the only obstacle in the way of their rescue.
Adam Gilks from Milledgeville says he started kayaking after going into retirement at 59 years old. He says he always comes prepared on the river.
Gilks says going on the river is nice. He's been on the Oconee River and this was his first time in the Ocmulgee River. He likes kayaking because it's peaceful and quiet.
But for the kayakers, it wasn't so peaceful this time.
According to Monroe County Emergency Services public information officer and life safety educator Christina Bramlett, about seven crews were a part of the river rescue for the kayakers.
Rescue crews were trying to get to the river when they were delayed by a Norfolk Southern train. Bramlett says the train only delayed crews by five minutes.
Jessie Suggs is a firefighter and paramedic for Monroe County Emergency Services. He says trains have delayed them in the past but it doesn't stop them from saving lives.
"We have to notify our dispatch we have a delayed response because of a train," Suggs said.
Once the train finally cleared the site, crews got to the river and launched a rescue boat. Bramlett says seeing alligators is not uncommon.
"We are well aware of gators being in the water down towards Macon but they have certainly made their way north," Bramlett said. "We're confident they are staying this side of the Juliette Dam."
The train was just the first obstacle stopping crews until they met a 6-foot alligator.
"The dad and the son had seen the alligator approximately 70 yards downstream from them," Bramlett said.
Suggs says he didn't see the alligator but other boat crews did. Bramlett says the alligator may have kept the father and son from getting to shore.
Bramlett says to make sure you always have a flotation device with you on the water and have a GPS device with you, so dispatchers can locate you quicker.
The two kayakers were pulled safely from the river.