UPDATE — Monday, Aug. 3: Both 18-year-olds who went missing during a tubing trip on the Deep River have been found safe, according to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.
The two teens, both of whom have autism, were located shortly after 8 a.m. Monday on Antioch Church Road after walking to a nearby home for help.
Investigators said the pair had been tubing on the Deep River from the Coleridge area toward Bennett Road when one of their inner tubes popped. The problem prevented them from continuing their planned trip down the river.
The teens spent Sunday night in the woods, where they told deputies they slept on rocks. On Monday morning, they began walking until they reached a nearby residence and were able to get assistance.
Randolph County EMS evaluated both teens after they were found, and authorities said they appeared to be in good health.
The pair had originally been dropped off near N.C. 22/N.C. 42 and River Heights Drive and were expected to be picked up at the Bennett Road bridge. When they failed to arrive Sunday afternoon, an extensive multi-agency search was launched involving boats, drones, ATVs and personnel searching along the Deep River.
Moore County first responders were among the agencies that assisted with the search.
The successful recovery brings an end to the overnight search and a positive outcome for the teens, their families and the emergency crews involved.
Source: Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, with additional reporting from Brayden Stamps of WGHP FOX8.
