GREENWELL SPRINGS - A two-and-a-half hour rescue effort ended successfully Tuesday when firefighters and law enforcement officers from various areas were able to rescue two girls from the BREC Frenchtown Conservation Area.

The girls, around 12-years-old, went into the hiking area around 3 Tuesday afternoon. They were reported missing around 6 p.m. and a large search party formed to look for them. The girls were seen along a waterway near the Amite River but rescuers had a hard time getting to them.

A motorboat was launched to attempt a rescue, but the engine failed when it hit something in the waterway. A second boat was launched and was able to get the girls from a bank around 8:30.

The park, located near the Livingston/East Baton Rouge Parish line, is about 500 acres. A BREC official said the park is very underdeveloped, and is made primarily for hiking. The site lacks restrooms, significant lighting and isn't in range of good cell phone coverage.

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