$10 River Tubing Implicated in Girl's Drowning

According to a U.S. National Parks Service report, Allsouth Tubing, the company that rented tubing equipment to a 9-year-old Peachtree City girl who drowned June 3 in the Chattahoochee River, failed to warn her and her family about the Buford Dam's impending water release, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Friday. 

Federal law that governs the Chattahoochee River National Recreation area requires the company, which operates as $10 River Tubing, to advise tubers of river dangers, the report states.  

Shortly after entering the Chattahoochee River with two adults and three siblings, Ann Van Horn was swept downstream by the river's currents and drowned. She was pulled lifeless from the water about two hours later still wearing her life jacket, according to the AJC article.

The federal report states that the group was unaware of the scheduled water release that occurred at 2:55 p.m. about 2.5 miles upstream. The Van Horn group entered the water around 3 p.m., and a witness called 911 at 3:32 p.m. to report the girl being swept away, according to the AJC. Swift Water Rescue teams from Gwinnett and Forsyth counties pulled Van Horn from the water around 5:45 p.m. She was transported to Northside Forsyth Hospital, where she died.

Allsouth Tubing was operating $10 River Tubing locations in Duluth and Sugar Hill, where the Van Horn group rented tubes. The National Parks Service revoked the permit for Allsouth, and the company was forced to close both locations. It recently reapplied and was granted a permit to reopen the Duluth location after being instructed to better educate tubers on river safety, the AJC reported. The Duluth location on Abbott's Bridge Road has reopened. The Sugar Hill location remains closed.

The federal report has now been sent to the U.S. Attorney's Office, where prosecutors will determine if criminal charges are warranted against the company in the girl's death, the AJC article stated.

The Buford Dam releases water daily for hydrolectric power and water supply. Signs warn river users of potential releases, and sirens sound when the water is released. Dam release information is available by calling 770-945-1466 or by listening to AM1610 Radio.