Students Saved from Raging Waters on Waterfall
Three college students are breathing huge sighs of relief after a decision to go for a swim across a fast-moving, rain-swollen creek almost cost them dearly.
They were left hanging on for dear life in Roswell, Ga., outside Atlanta, precariously close to being swept by a powerful current over the top of a 30-foot waterfall to rocks below. The water from Vickery Creek flows over the top of a dam.
The three, who attend Kennesaw University, also near Atlanta, were pulled to safety in the nick of time by firefighters who attached life jackets to ropes, which they threw out to them. They were hauled to shore one at a time.
Nicholas Swoopes says he's never been that scared. His heart was pounding.
Jennifer Chambers says they simply didn't realize how strong the current was.
They and Bobby Stillings screamed for help for 20 minutes before a passing jogger heard them and called 911.
Swoopes says, "I thank God for them. If it wasn't for them it would have been curtains for all of us."
On "The Early Show" Thursday, co-anchor Harry Smith filled viewers in, then spoke with all three, as well as one of the recuers, William Tanks of the Roswell Fire Department: