AL Firefighters Pull Woman from 70-Foot High Water Tank

Aug. 6, 2021

Athens firefighters climbed into the tank, which holds 350,000 gallons of water, in order to secure a harness on the woman and get her safely to the ground.

By Howard Koplowitz

Source al.com

Athens, AL, firefighters rescued a woman who climbed into a 70-foot high water tank to swim Thursday.

Athens firefighters rescued a woman Thursday night who was found by a retired police officer swimming in a 70-foot high water tank.

The woman broke a fence barrier and climbed a ladder to the top of the water tank, which holds 350,000 gallons of water, on Elm Street when she was spotted by Doug Duran, a retired Athens police officer who lives across the street, the Athens Fire Department said in a Facebook post.

Police, firefighters and Athens Water Department personnel responded to the scene.

Athens firefighters Hunter Campbell and Coty Collins climbed to the tank, where they found the woman swimming inside. They were able to cajole her into climbing down the tank.

Firefighters secured the woman with a harness and walked her down the water tank’s ladder with her.

The woman was set to undergo a mental evaluation, according to Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson.

“We appreciate the neighbors and Mr. Duran. who contacted authorities because we could have had a very different outcome,” Johnson said.

Jimmy Junkin, manager of the city’s water/wastewater department, said crews will drain the tank Thursday night, remove any debris and sanitize the tank.

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