A Newport couple was found about two miles from their campsite Tuesday about 24 hours after they became lost while leaving a campground in Elliotsville.

Michael Chapman, 40, and Kelli Macfarlin, 38, were reported missing after they were last seen around noon Monday. They were found about 12:45 p.m. Tuesday on the Appalachian Trail near Big Wilson Stream about two miles from their campsite at Little Wilson Falls, according to a news release from the Maine Warden Service.

Information about their health was not available immediately.

The two became lost when they followed the wrong trail from their campsite back to their vehicle, said Cpl. John MacDonald, of the Warden Service, in the news release.

The two had been camping with six other people and became separated from the group after leaving the campsite, which is in the southwestern Piscataquis County township of Elliotsville near Monson.

Their friends reported them missing about 3:40 p.m. Monday after they didn’t return to their vehicle, MacDonald said.

Assisting in the search were the Maine Forest Service, the Monson Fire Department and the Maine Army National Guard Lakota helicopter from Bangor, according to the release.

Elliotsville, a township, is northeast of Monson, and the Appalachian Trail crosses it.


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