Gadsden – The body of Regina Smith, 51, of Lincoln, has been located in Black Creek, below Noccalula Falls. Crews had been searching since Sunday evening when she went missing while swimming with her family in the natural pool area below the falls. The family was swimming, and Smith was pulled into the creek on a float she had found. 
WEIS was in the area covering the story when we received word that the body had been located. A press conference with Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford, Gadsden Fire Chief Vance Brown, and Gadsden Police Public Information Officer Dusty Ford was held shortly afterward. The video of the press conference, in its entirety, can be found on the WEIS Facebook page.
Her body was discovered around 11:15 a.m. The main body of the search had been suspended for the safety of first responders, but small teams continued patrolling overnight. Crews on the ground found the body, which was confirmed with the use of drones. She has been moved from the water, but Chief Brown said it could take as long as four hours for rappel or high-angle rescue teams to remove her from the lower gorge area of the park. He stressed that the conditions were treacherous and that weather was making it a very dangerous operation. 
Smith’s family remained on scene during the search process and was provided a room at the falls for their use and privacy as operations were underway. The chapel was also made available to the family as they processed the discovery. Mayor Craig Ford stated in his opening, “This is something, as a father, you never want to have to experience.”
Ford went on to praise first responders from Gadsden, Etowah County, and those who assisted from surrounding counties and across the state. Some units even came from out of state, such as Floyd County with their Bloodhound team. WEIS is awaiting a full list of agencies involved in the search effort.
Mayor Ford and Chief Brown addressed the dangers of the water and how deadly it can be. Brown mentioned there were Class 5 rapids in some areas. Smith’s body was found in a class 4 rapid. Both men stressed it is imperative that people stay out of the water below the falls, as even the strongest swimmers can be put in danger.
Chief Brown praised the actions of first responders and their work to bring closure to the Smith family. He asked for prayers for the family and emphasized that the department’s hearts go out to them. Brown stated the body was located approximately 200 feet from the mouth of the gorge. He stressed that it is a place no one should go, urging visitors to stay out of the gorge and stick to the main walking trails, regardless of their experience level or swimming ability.
Dusty Ford expressed his gratitude to the agencies that worked hard to bring closure to the family. He reiterated how dangerous the work was, but noted the first responders were dedicated to doing their job for those in need.
In closing, Mayor Ford asked people to pray not only for the family but also for the first responders who may be affected by such difficult work and emotionally taxing operations.
The city of Gadsden Said in a press release later:
The search for a woman missing at Noccalula Falls since Sunday ended Tuesday as first responders recovered her body shortly before 2 p.m.
“We want to send our deepest condolences to the family who has lost a loved one,” said Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford. “I also want to thank our first responders, and all those that assisted from around the county and state, for all of their efforts over the last three days.”
Search teams located the victim’s body in the waters of the Black Creek gorge around 11:30 a.m.
The Gadsden Fire Department has specialized training in high-angle rescue and recovery, and the victim was successfully removed from the gorge just before 2 p.m.
“It’s been a difficult situation, but we appreciate all the hard work and professionalism everyone has shown,” Ford said.
