By Marshall McClung, The Graham Star
Yellow Creek – Graham County Fire & Rescue members and others were called out to perform a swift-water rescue on the Cheoah River around 7:45 p.m. May 13, when 911 dispatchers received word of a vehicle trapped in the water roughly 3 miles south of Tapoco Lodge on U.S. 129.
When rescuers reached the scene just before 8 p.m., the driver was sitting on top of the car several yards out in the water. Rescuers first tied a large rope to the vehicle and tied the other end around a tree to keep the vehicle and driver from washing downstream. A separate rope was used to secure the driver until a raft arrived, enabling rescuers to reach him.
In the meantime, Brookfield Renewable shut off the water flowing from a release at Santeetlah Dam.
Dr. James Vollmer, a well-known dentist in Andrews, was rescued and on shore before 9 p.m. In spite of the vehicle being totaled, he escaped with minor injuries – including a small scratch on his cheek and ear, and a bruise on his right leg.
Vollmer told The Graham Star that he was returning from Guam after attending the graduation of a step-grandson and had gone many hours without any sleep. As he made his way past Tapoco, he fell asleep at a place where the river is close to the road. He awoke just as the vehicle hit the road shoulder, but it was too late to keep from going into the river.
Air bags deployed as the vehicle began striking rocks. Vollmer was able to get out through a broken window and thought he might be able to wade to shore, but he discovered the water was waist deep and the current too swift. So he then climbed onto the roof of the vehicle.
Kyle and Lauren Garland were traveling to Tapoco Lodge when Vollmer spotted them and began waving. They turned around, came back and stayed with him until he was rescued – something Vollmer said he appreciated, as it gave him comfort and peace of mind to have someone with him.
After the rescue was over, squad member Larry Crisp – who loaned Vollmer his coat – took him to Topton, where he was met by longtime assistant Jackie Bryan and her husband James, who took him home.
Vollmer had nothing but good things to say about the rescuers. He said he had always heard that Graham County had a top-notch rescue organization and knows that to be true, as they are as professional a group as he has seen.
Vollmer’s son, Matthew, said the photo of his father sitting atop the car needs to be engraved on the headstone of his final resting place, as something about it captures his essence.
Vollmer added that he awoke the next morning thinking about how blessed he was and how God protected him, as he could have been killed or crippled for life.