ERWIN, N.C. — Seventeen rafters were rescued from North Carolina's Cape Fear River after they became stranded for hours after dark.
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Officials said the group of adults, teenagers and children had set out to tube down the river Monday afternoon. Erwin Fire & Rescue Chief John Wilkins said they told rescuers that once it got dark, they became disoriented and couldn't find their way out.
WRAL reported one person was able to make it to shore around 9:55 p.m. and called 911. Everyone was rescued by 11:30 p.m. No injuries were reported.
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According to one mother in the group, the group had departed from Lillington and had planned to be out of the river near Erwin before sunset.
Wilkins said the water levels were low, which made the float trip longer than expected.
WRAL reported firefighters gifted each rescued person with an Erwin Fire Department T-shirt once they were safely back at the station.