Gaston Volunteer Fire Chief Ed Porter Jr. said in a statement that fire and rescue units were dispatched around 9:45 p.m. after parents reported four girls and one boy were missing after they put in at the Gaston Boat Landing around 5 p.m. with plans to float to Weldon.
When the teens did not return on time emergency crews were dispatched for a river search.
After searching the river by boat and by foot, the teens were found safe.
Gaston fire and rescue, Conway-Severn Rescue and the Weldon Fire Department all participated in the search.
The teens were assessed by Northampton County EMS and returned to their parents. The Northampton County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate, Porter said in the statement.
