#Woman rescued after trying to swim in water tank

She brought new meaning to jumping in the “drink.”

Alabama firefighters saved the day last week after rescuing a woman who bizarrely climbed into a 70-foot-high water tank to take a dip on an 83 degree day. The rescue was documented in a Facebook post by the city of Athens, where the peculiar incident took place.

The unidentified woman had broken through a fence and climbed a ladder into the tank, which held approximately 350,000 gallons of water, per the post. Unfortunately, the hatch, which was not secure, shut behind the water rat and trapped her in the cylindrical reservoir.

Thankfully, the imperiled gal was spotted by retired Athens Police Officer Doug Duren, who contacted authorities about her predicament.

Shortly thereafter, police, firefighters and Water/Wastewater Department personnel arrived at the peculiar pool party, whereupon “firefighters Hunter Campbell and Coty Collins climbed the tank and found her swimming inside,” per the post.

After convincing the unorthodox spelunker to come with them, the rescuers lifted her over the rim of the tank with a harness and walked with her down the ladder.

Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson says she’s lucky to be alive.

“We appreciate the neighbors and Mr. Duren who contacted authorities because we could have had a very different outcome,” Johnson said, adding that the woman is currently slated to undergo a mental health evaluation.

Meanwhile, Water/Wastewater Department Manager Jimmy Junkin said that workers drained and sanitized the tank following the infiltration. As Athens has clean water in its other thanks, they don’t expect any disruption in service.