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TROY — Nine boys with a church group from Raleigh were rescued from the Uwharrie River in Montgomery County on Thursday after multiple boats became separated during a paddling trip.

The boys, ages 10 to 12, were rescued after a three-hour operation by emergency officials from four counties, authorities said. No injuries were reported and it is unclear whether anyone was ever out of their boats.

A call came in to the Montgomery County’s 911 center about 12:15 p.m.

A man who identified himself as Matt Beeman told dispatchers the group — which included 24 youth and six chaperones — had entered the river at the Low Water Bridge near N.C. 109.  became separated and nine boys could not be accounted for. All the boys were wearing life jackets, the caller said.

The boys were found and rescued about a mile upstream from the bridge after about three hours, said Alan Griffin, director of emergency services for Montgomery County.

About 50 emergency personnel from Montgomery, Cabarrus, Stanly and Randolph counties assisted in the rescue, which also included a helicopter from the Highway Patrol, Griffin said.

The group from Living Word Family Church in Raleigh was on a three-day “Survivor Challenge” camp at Uwharrie National Forest. The church’s Web site said the camp involved outdoor adventures and Bible study.

The boating trip with one- and two-man canoes and kayaks was hosted by God’s Country Outfitters based in Albemarle, according to the church. Guides with the company who led the trip told the News & Record that four or five boats capsized in the river, though that information could not be confirmed through emergency officials.

Griffin said someone with the outfitters group checked the water levels earlier in the day before the group began its trip, and the water was fine.

At some point during the outing, water levels rose an estimated 3 to 4 inches. The higher water may have increased the current and led to the group getting separated, Griffin said.

He could not say why the water level rose. He said it could have been early morning rainfall or water released from an upstream dam. He couldn’t confirm if the dam had been opened.

“I don’t know exactly what created it. Either way, that river moves and with it being a youth group like that, it was probably above their skill (level),” Griffin said.

“When they all got split up, the leaders got a little concerned. When they got concerned they called 911, and it probably sounded a little better on the radios than in actually was.

“We had to assume the worst because when you are dealing with 30 patients, you have to make sure you have the proper resources.”

At the group’s campsite, a counselor  — who refused to give his name — said the attention given to the rescue was out of proportion.

“A couple of the kids got separated and no one was in any danger at any time,” he said.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com