Local families were able to breathe a sigh of relief Thursday night after rescue personnel located three missing teens on the Conecuh River.

Sheriff Dennis Meeks said the teen’s parents notified law enforcement about 9:45 p.m., when the trio hadn’t returned home after tubing down the river.

“The parents said the group had left from the Padgett Road area around 6 p.m., but after they didn’t arrive at the Harts Bridge boat ramp in a timely manner, the parents became concerned and contacted E-911,” Meeks said.

And the parents had good reason to worry, he said. To assist in the search, deputies contacted the Alabama Marine Police and Dale County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit for assistance.

The group was spotted by the helicopter at about 11:30 p.m., up river around a bend about 300 yards from the Harts Bridge boat ramp. The Marine Police were able to assist the teens into the boat and transported them to the boat ramp.

“Luckily, the teens were not injured and were very tired,” Meeks said. “Please remember, if you go out on the rivers or lakes to take a cell phone, life jackets and a flashlight with you because you all ways want to be safe and prepared.”