CHATSWORTH, Ga. — Four children and three adults who were reported missing in the Cohutta Wilderness near Jacks River Falls on Sunday night were found after a brief search Monday morning, according to Murray County Sheriff’s Office officials.

“They were fine,” Capt. David Gowens said. “We did have the kids checked due to the possibility of hypothermia, but they were fine.”

Murray County Emergency Management Director Dewayne Bain was still working the scene Monday afternoon and did not immediately return messages Monday evening. 

Gowens said the group was reported missing at 9 p.m. Sunday when they did not return home from a hike in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Gowens said he did not know the names of the group members, but said they were members of families in Murray County. 

According to the West Polk County (Tenn.) Volunteer Fire and Rescue Facebook page, a helicopter from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) spotted the hikers at Rice Camp in the forest. Rescue teams from Murray County went in on foot to bring them out. 

“For most of you, this area is very remote and has few roads so the only way to get to these people is on foot,” said a post on the West Polk Facebook page.

Responders from Fannin County also assisted in the search.