43 Year Old J.R. Kimbler, His 10 Year Old Son Dakota & 6 Year Old Daughter Jade Missing Since 4/26/14 in Congaree National Park in South Carolina

FAMILY OF THREE MISSING IN CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK IN SOUTH CAROLINA …

43 year old father J.R. Kimber, his 10 year old son Dakota and 6 year old daughter Jade have been missing since Saturday, April 26, 2014 in Congaree National Park in South Carolina.  The three departed for the hike from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center around 5 p.m. Saturday. JR Kimber texted a friend for help about 9:15 p.m. “Lost need help sir.” According to the global positioning system in Kimbler’s Checker Yellow cab, which he drove to the park, the three arrived at the park about 4:30 p.m. Saturday. As per the missing children’s mother, Dakota and Jade were wearing shorts and sandals and Jade has breathing problems, including asthma.

Jade, left – Dakota, rt.

Kimbler and the children were reported missing by the children’s mother, Tammy Ballard, Saturday around 10 p.m. Ballard said she had received a text from Kimbler saying the three were lost.  They had left the vehicle at about 5 p.m.

Ballard said Kimbler is a cab driver, and he and the children rode to the park in his cab Saturday. A cell phone was found inside the cab along with Kimbler’s cab logbook. The last ride time, according to the log, was 12:35 p.m. Saturday.

In addition to emergency personnel, Ballard walked the trails herself Monday morning yelling her kids’ names.

UPDATE I: More than 60 searchers scour rugged terrain

The search is continuing Monday for a father and his two children missing in the Congaree National Park, with an increasing sense of urgency.

More than 60 members from several agencies have been searching since 1 a.m. Sunday.

Authorities are getting assistance from rangers with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, whom they say have more experience with a large-scale search like this one.

Soehn said 9,000 of the park’s 27,000 acres have been searched, and planes and helicopters have searched the entire park property.  She said heavy foliage is hampering the air search, and downed trees and wet ground are creating challenges for ground searchers.