GSP Aviation, Alabama agency and Cobb rescuers aid stranded kayaker recovery

A Georgia Department of Public Safety press release says a multi-agency rescue mission led to a victim being safely recovered and provided medical care.

According to the release, the effort involved the Georgia State Patrol Aviation Division, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Cobb County Fire/Rescue technicians.

The release says Sgt. Mack Ward was contacted March 21, 2026, by ALEA Trooper Micah Little on behalf of Fischer Rescue about a critical water-related incident involving a kayaker stranded in a remote section of Little River Canyon National Preserve near Fort Payne.

Because of extreme terrain, steep inclines and limited access routes, ground-based responders could not safely or efficiently reach and extract the patient, according to the press release.

The press release says GSP Aviation personnel staged at the Kennesaw hangar, and two Cobb County Fire & Rescue technicians worked with crew chief TFC Nicholas Akerson on a short-haul rescue operation.

According to the release, Sgt. Paul Wofford and TFC Akerson flew to a landing zone at a local fire station off Highway 78 in Adamsburg, Alabama, where the aircraft was configured for short-haul rescue capabilities.

The release says Sgt. Wofford, TFC Akerson and Cobb Rescue Technician Mike Barnes then departed for the incident site to conduct a short-haul basket extraction in a narrow ravine.

According to the press release, a rescue technician was lowered to the victim along the riverbank for immediate stabilization efforts, and both the victim and technician were hoisted from the ravine in a controlled short-haul extraction.

The aircraft then transported both individuals to a nearby landing zone where emergency medical personnel were staged to provide advanced care, the release says.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety said the coordinated response resulted in the victim's safe recovery.