Agencies searching NC border for missing Tenn. hikers

The Associated Press

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. --

Law enforcement agencies are searching the mountains on the North Carolina-Tennessee border for a couple that went on a day hike and never returned home.

The Johnson City Press reported a rental car belonging to 58-year-old Cheryl Merriken and 59-year-old David Merriken was Friday.

Sheriff Kent Harris in Tennessee's Unicoi County said the couple had taken a day hike on Wednesday but had not returned home by the time their children came home from school. The couple's children started contacting friends and church members, and a search began Thursday night.

The car was found in the Pisgah National Forest, about 15 miles from downtown Erwin. Officials said there was nothing to indicate foul play and the couple could be missing because of an injury.

Information from: Johnson City Press, http://www.johnsoncitypress.com