Teen Drunk on Alcohol Plunges into River at Dawn, Ends Up…

“After entering the river swollen with rain that fell overnight…”

The fire authorities rescued a teenage boy swimming in the Gwangju River while intoxicated. / Provided by Gwangju Seobu Fire Station

A teenager who consumed alcohol and went into the water narrowly escaped death.

On the 15th, at around 5:39 am, A (19) fell into the water in the lower area of the Gwangju River near Gwangcheondong Gwangam Bridge in Seo-gu, Gwangju, but was saved.

According to Yonhap News, A went into the water to swim after drinking with friends nearby but fell in.

The fire authorities dispatched 16 firefighters to the scene, rescued A using ropes and other equipment at around 5:57 a.m., and then transported him to the hospital. At the time of the rescue, A complained of hypothermia.

According to News1, a friend who reported the incident stated to the fire authorities, “While returning home after drinking, suddenly the river flooded.”

The Gwangju River, where A fell, was in a state of rapid flooding due to heavy rain overnight. As of 7 a.m. that day, Gwangju experienced heavy rain of about 20mm per hour, accompanied by thunder and lightning. The previous day’s rain recorded a cumulative 54mm in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. The Korea Meteorological Administration expects 20-60mm rainfall until the next day.

Even if the temperature drops, the brain and heart try to maintain a temperature above 98 Fahrenheit. If the body temperature drops below 95 Fahrenheit, it can be life-threatening. When the body temperature drops below 95 Fahrenheit, trembling begins, judgment is impaired, drowsiness sets in, and symptoms such as the inability to walk properly.

Hypothermia can occur in winter and summer if one engages in hiking while wet from rain or swimming in a valley or beach late at night.