Three kayakers who went missing on Thursday were found safe today, Rhea County dispatchers said this afternoon.
Dispatcher Cody Reed said at 12:20 p.m. that rescue officials in Spring City, Tenn., reported the three kayakers "walked out of the woods at the Piney River about 10 minutes ago."
Rhea County authorities said the three boaters were among several kayaking the rain-swollen Piney River on Thursday.
A number of kayakers, as many as five, were able to get off the river before dark Thursday, but the others remained behind, officials said.
The search continued until dark and resumed early this morning.