Police Rescue Missing Man in Frigid Temperatures

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A missing Gwinnett County man was found alive after falling into a ditch in the dangerously cold weather.

Keith Franklin, 59, had not been seen since Tuesday night, around 8 p.m., following a family dinner. Shortly after noon Wednesday, his brother, Tim Franklin, called 911 to report he was missing. He got worried when his brother didn't show up for breakfast on Wednesday.

Both brothers live in separate homes close to one another.

Officers arrived at Tim Franklin's home, located in the 1700 block of Drowning Creek Drive, and started searching on foot. Rain and sleet were falling as officers began their search. Meanwhile, nearby hospitals were notified and a Mattie's Call was issued.

According to the Gwinnett County Police Department, Keith Franklin normally walks a wooded path between the homes. Roughly two hours after his brother called 911, Franklin was found face down in a ditch along the road.

"He was alive, but in distress form being stuck in the ditch overnight," police said in a news release.

Officers wrapped Mr. Franklin in their jackets to keep him warm as they waited for an ambulance to arrive. He was taken to Athens Regional Hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

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