Three paddlers overdue on the Chattooga

At first light yesterday, the Oconee Sheriff’s Office helicopter spotted three overdue river paddlers three miles from the highway 76 bridge.  Their Saturday outing included a fourth paddler, but he was found OK at the Sandy Fork section of the Wild and Scenic Chattooga.  Charlie King of Oconee Emergency Service says once a determination was made there were no health issues with any of the paddlers, a decision was made to wait until yesterday morning to check the river by air.  The others, all of them operating separate boats, were spotted and appeared to be OK.  Around noon yesterday, one of the missing paddlers got a call thru, saying they had hiked out and caught a ride to their vehicle.  In all, two children and four adults from Oconee County were involved.  King said, “It is important for everyone visiting the river to fill out the required trip plan that is provided by forestry and emergency personnel to know and understand the capabilities of those spending time on the water.”