The 73 year old man reported missing while on an outing at Terrapin Creek Thursday – has been found safe.

EMA Officials informed WEIS Radio News that J.C. Garner was found sitting on a creek bank at around 11:15 on Friday morning and was subsequently evaluated by medics. Garner was last seen inner-tubing down the creek at around 5:30 Thursday afternoon. He was reported missing through a call to Central Dispatch at 7:53pm. 

A number of agencies, including the Cherokee County EMA, Cherokee County Rescue Squad, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Marine Police and Alabama Game & Fish Officers all quickly responded to look for the missing man, eventually bringing in a drone equipped with infrared capabilities as darkness fell – however, they were unable to find the subject.

They continued to search throughout the night in vain, and the coordinated search & rescue operation continued Friday, with help from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Aviation Unit.

Details have yet to be released.

We’ll have additional information as it becomes available.