Updated: Three People Found After Being Lost Eight Hours Along The Escambia River

March 19, 2018

Three people were transported to the hospital early Monday morning after being lost along the Escambia River for most of the night.

They were able to call for help about 7:30 p.m. Sunday from somewhere along the river between Fischer Landing in Century and the Bluff Springs Boat Ramp. They entered a small creek and continued away from the main river until the water became too shallow for a kayak, at which point they continued to drag their kayaks further up the shallow creek. That made a rescue by boat impossible, with the operation becoming a foot search.

The men did not have a flashlight, and they were not wearing shoes, further hampering the rescue effort.

Authorities attempted to lead the men to a deer plot where a Santa Rosa County deputy was located and blaring his siren to lead them. That effort was unsuccessful.

Members of Baldwin (AL) Search and Rescue found the men about 2:30 a.m. They were brought out of the woods and transported by ambulance to the Jay Hospital emergency room for evaluation about 3:30 a.m — about eight hours after they were first reported lost.

The Jay, Allentown, Munson, Century, Molino, Cantonment and Flomaton fire departments, Baldwin Search and Rescue, Escambia County EMS, Lifeguard Ambulance, FWC, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Rosa County Sheiff’s Office, Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert and other participated in the search, along with William Burgess who provided an additional boat, according to the Jay Volunteer Fire Department.

NorthEscambia.com file photos.

Comments

15 Responses to “Updated: Three People Found After Being Lost Eight Hours Along The Escambia River”

  1. Heather Scarbrough on March 23rd, 2018 7:44 pm

    @429SCJ: They are from Jay

  2. 429SCJ on March 23rd, 2018 5:32 pm

    @Stephen Harding; hi Steve, I was just curious and wondering where you guys are from?

  3. robert on March 21st, 2018 8:36 pm

    Well so happy every one is okay. Hind sight is a wonderful teacher, lessons you never forget, I hope you will able to go again, It will be better the next time. Thanks to all those who worked for their rescue, God bless the Families involve , and those who found them.

  4. John Provo on March 20th, 2018 3:50 pm

    ESAR was contacted by FWC early on and was involved in the search from 9:00 PM until after 3:00 AM. We contacted resources with special use equipment (airboats, jet boats, swamp buggies,etc.) and also kept the FWC apprised of other resources in route to scene throughout the night. We understood early on that manpower was not an issue, otherwise we would have deployed. I’d like to extend a sincere thanks to all of the 1st responders who assisted.

  5. Howie on March 20th, 2018 2:13 pm

    @ Niknak50 – great idea with the orange tape or even plastic grocery bags.

    Flashlights for sure and you can never have too many of those. I used to fish on rivers in Alabama and here in Florida. I always had flashlights, crackers to eat, water to drink, bug spray, first aid kit and a lighter. In my truck I carried an extra pair of dry clothes.

    Glad the fella’s were found and hope they feel better soon. It’s a scary adventure out there in the swamp when dark comes upon you.

  6. Stephen harding on March 20th, 2018 9:23 am

    I was one of the lost i want thank most of all north blawdwin county for walking in to get us but as us not having shoes on we had to walk in waist deep mud there was no chance of keep anyting on our feet we were lost

  7. dewey barnes on March 19th, 2018 5:26 pm

    how come ESAR wasn’t called?

  8. 429SCJ on March 19th, 2018 3:41 pm

    I would have though that they would have just simply followed the river down stream, until reaching a boat ramp?

  9. Heather Scarbrough on March 19th, 2018 3:34 pm

    This was my husband,cousin,and stepdad. They are all extremely sore and tired as well as being cut up but doing okay. This was nerve racking for us all and they had no intentions on being out there that long. They had been trying to walk out since around 2pm yesterday. I am very grateful to all that helped in the search and rescue and thankful for the Baldwin County guys that got to them and started a fire so they could warm up a little bit. No they didn’t have shoes on but I’m not sure flip flops would have helped much in the muddy swamp. Again thank you to all that responded and took the time to get my family home safe.

  10. James S Walters on March 19th, 2018 1:53 pm

    No one called us???

  11. Stringbean Baby on March 19th, 2018 12:14 pm

    Awesome!
    Serious adventure for all involved with stories galore around the campfire!

    Thank you rescuers and Northescambia.com!

  12. Niknak50 on March 19th, 2018 11:04 am

    My dad and I used to fish areas like this off the atchafalaya river in Louisiana. Very remote swamps and lakes. Dad tied surveyor tape to the trees on our way in, so finding our way out was not a problem.

  13. William on March 19th, 2018 10:58 am

    >>>@ Angi B – I believe the story contains those answers.

    They were still lost when Angi posted her comment. The story was updated

  14. Jim on March 19th, 2018 9:27 am

    @ Angi B – I believe the story contains those answers.

  15. Angi B on March 19th, 2018 2:54 am

    Prayers for these individuals, hopefully they will be found safe.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News