Missing Marines found safe after rafting trip

Two Marines who disappeared after a rafting trip in Duplin County on Sunday were found safe early Monday.

Investigators say a group of seven Marines began their trip in Chinquapin on the Cape Fear River. Around 5:30 p.m. Sunday, five of the Marines got out of the river near the Deep Bottom Bridge Road. The other two got separated from the group and continued down the river.

About 50 people with 10 different agencies searched through the night and found the two missing Marines sitting on a sand bar waiting to be rescued, according to the Duplin County sheriff's office.

"The subjects were fine other than just being cold, a little hypothermia, which they're doing fine now," said North East Fire Chief Walter Scott. "(It) makes everybody feel good to have a happy ending, and to find them is just a good feeling."

No other information was released.