Three hikers along Blue Ridge Parkway all found safe

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C (WLOS) — UPDATE: The missing hikers have been found safe. The family had a whistle that helped rescuers locate them around noon on July 7.

All three will be checked by medics when they return, which should be within the next hour, around 2:30 p.m.

Their cell phones reportedly died Monday night.

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Previous coverage: Emergency officials in Haywood County are searching Tuesday morning for three missing hikers along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Officials say the hikers didn't return Monday night from their hike along the Art Loeb Trail. At 9 a.m. Tuesday, emergency officials regrouped at a staging area at Mile Marker 420 near Graveyard Fields in the Black Balsam parking area.

Black Balsam is currently closed to the public at this time.

Crews are looking for three people, two adults and one child. Concerned family members called for help around 8:45 p.m. Monday night when the family did not return home from their hike.

Allison Richmond, a public information officer for Haywood County Emergency Services says multiple counties are involved in Tuesday's current search after crews searched overnight.

Richmond says dozens of hikers are out searching the entirety of the Shining Rock Wilderness Area and that there is a sense of urgency due to the rainy weather.

At this time, officials say there is no reason to believe any foul play was involved.

This is a developing story. Check back for the latest updates.

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