Missing Kayakers return Home

At 3pm Tuesday afternoon, Oconee County Fire Chief Charlie King reported that the four teenagers who went missing while kayaking down the Chattooga River have been found safe and have returned home. The teens were found by helicopter as they were slowly working their way down the river. They told rescuers that their planned trip took longer than expected and they were forced off the river at nightfall. The group built a shelter utilizing their small kayaks and surrounding brush to provide cover and warmth. At daylight Tuesday morning, they started their trip downriver again. Shortly after contact with the helicopter, the group abandoned their river journey to a trail they found on the Georgia side of the river. Both the helicopter and rescue crews were able to confirm their location on the trail and crews in four-wheel drive vehicles retrieved them. Each was evaluated for any medical needs and released. Chief King reports that just over 50 personnel from Georgia and South Carolina worked the E-911 call for service since 10:30pm Monday night to return these teenagers home safely. Chief King gave special thanks to Wildwater Limited, a local white water guide service for their support. Those agencies operating on the incident were Mountain Rest Rescue, Oconee Special Rescue Team, Rabun, GA Search and Rescue, US Forest Service, SC Department of Natural Resources, Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and Long Creek Fire Station.