ATHENS, Ala. — Athens firefighters rescued a woman on Thursday who the city says was swimming in a 70-foot high water tank.
The city said in a Facebook post that the woman broke into a fence barrier and climbed a ladder to the top of the tank. Authorities were alerted of the situation when a retired Athens police officer noticed her.
Two firefighters, Hunter Campbell and Coty Collins, climbed the tank and found the woman swimming. The two convinced the woman to come over to them where she was secured with a harness.
Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said the woman will undergo a mental evaluation.
Athens Water/Wastewater Department Manager Jimmy Junkin said the tank will be drained and any debris will be removed. The tank holds 350,000 gallons of water.
Junkin said it appears the tower's hatch was not secured after a contractor re-painted the tower the week prior. He said the tank did close on her after she entered it.
Junkin said he doesn't expect any disruption in service as the city still has clean water in other tanks.
Athens police, firefighters and personnel from the Water Department all responded to the incident.
