AUGUSTA — The Kennebec River Rail Trail was temporarily closed after a man fled on foot as Augusta police attempted a welfare check Wednesday night.

The Augusta Police Department closed the Kennebec River Rail Trail for several hours following the search for Jason Spaulding, who had made comments about harming himself. Police located Spaulding, 47, of Gardiner, shortly after asking the public for help finding him through a news release sent Wednesday at 10 p.m. The police then reopened the trail.

Augusta police were called to Swan Street around 6 p.m. Wednesday for a well-being check after Spaulding spoke about harming himself following an argument that involved a child custody dispute, the release said. Police said Spaulding owns a firearm but no made threat against the public.

The Kennebec River Rail Trail is a 6.5-mile trail that runs along the western bank of the Kennebec River from Augusta to Gardiner.