Search Near the TREC Trail Saturday for Possible Missing Person Has Happy Ending

A riderless horse sparked a search for a possible missing person Saturday afternoon.

At about 2:15pm, a horse was spotted running near the Hanner residence on Kingwood Drive, east of the TREC trail. The Hanner's were able to contain the animal and called the Effingham County Sheriff's Department after they noticed it had a saddle on.

Concerned that the rider may have fallen or been bucked from the horse, and might be injured, the Shumway Fire Department began searching the TREC Trail area. They were joined by the Sheriff's Department and an ATV from Watson's Fire Department. An Air Evac helicopter searched overhead as well.

While the search was ongoing, officials found two people riding together on horseback. One of them, identified as Mark Riess of Effingham, told searchers he'd been bucked off after his horse was spooked.

Riess was uninjured and the search was called off at 3:15pm.