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Ohio Family Missing In The Florida Everglades Found Safe After Rough Night (VIDEO)

Rough Night In The Everglades For Missing Ohio Family
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WSVN-TV -

A missing family of five from Ohio has been found safe Friday after spending a rough night lost in the Florida Everglades.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials began looking for Scott and Carrie Schreck and their three small children Thursday afternoon after the group departed west Miami-Dade County on a friend's airboat in the morning and never returned.

The couple and their kids Drew, 9, Luke, 7, and 3-year-old Zane were found in good condition about 1 p.m. Searchers heard an air horn and whistles coming from vegetation so thick the family couldn't be spotted from the ground nearby.

"Now it's just a matter of logistically, how do we get them back," said FWC spokesman Jorge Pino, adding adding that Miami-Dade Fire Rescue workers were being hoisted down to the scene from a helicopter. "If you get into that dense vegetation with an airboat, it's almost impossible to get out."

Multiple agencies launched planes, helicopters, and at least six more airboats to find the Schrecks, focusing the search on a portion of the sprawling 671,831-acre Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area. The WMA comprises northern and central core of the Everglades and stretches across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.

Making the search even more complicated was the family's airboat, which is painted in camouflage.

"It's like searching for a needle in a haystack," Pino said. "They did exactly what they were supposed to do, which is put out sound, loud noises, whistles, horns -- and one of our officers was able to hear that."

The area, which is home to alligators, pythons, and other animals, was also hit by storms overnight.

"This is the first time I have been out here," Scott Schreck told NBC6, explaining that he "took a wrong turn" and couldn't extricate the boat. "It was exciting, how's that."

UPDATE: 4 p.m.: First responders were eventually able to free the boat and escort the family safely to shore where they are being checked out, FWC reports. Scott Schreck details his family's survival efforts to NBC6:

He said his children slept during the night and he made a covering over the airboat to keep the children dry from the rains, and he and his wife stood bent in the boat for about eight hours... "This is the first time I have been out here," Schreck said. "Obviously as a novice on this body of water, probably not the thing to do."

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The Florida Everglades
Audubon Society Sponsors Annual Christmas Bird Count(01 of29)
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EVERGLADES, FL - DECEMBER 20: A black vulture flies after being spotted during the Audubon Societies Christmas Bird Count December 20, 2006 in the Florida Everglades National Park. The bird count is the oldest and largest citizen science event in the world. For over a hundred years, people have gathered together during the winter holiday season to count birds around the country. From mid-December to early January information is gathered to keep track of the number of species and individual birds that inhabit the region, state and nation. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Florida Scales Back Everglades Sugar Land Deal(02 of29)
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EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 05: An alligator floats in a pond in the Florida Everglades after the South Florida Water Management District announced it may reduce the size of the deal it had announced earlier in the year with U.S. Sugar on August 5, 2010 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The original proposal, announced in 2008, was to buy all of the U.S. Sugar Corporations assets and use the land to replenish the Everglades, letting water from Lake Okeechobee run its natural route. The plan now because of state budget cut backs is to buy 26,800 acres and retain a 10-year option to buy the rest of the land. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Congress Debates Everglades Restoration In Face Of Bush Veto Threat(03 of29)
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EVERGLADES, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: A Roseate Spoonbill looks for food in a pond in the Florida Everglades September 12, 2007 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) recently accused the White House of playing politics at the expense of the Everglades with two recent actions -- a threat to veto a bill with $2 billion for restoration projects and backing the removal of Everglades National Park from an international list of ''endangered'' sites. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Florida Scales Back Everglades Sugar Land Deal(04 of29)
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EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 05: Roseate Spoonbills walk by the water in the Florida Everglades after the South Florida Water Management District announced it may reduce the size of the deal it had announced earlier in the year with U.S. Sugar on August 5, 2010 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The original proposal, announced in 2008, was to buy all of the U.S. Sugar Corporations assets and use the land to replenish the Everglades, letting water from Lake Okeechobee run its natural route. The plan now because of state budget cut backs is to buy 26,800 acres and retain a 10-year option to buy the rest of the land. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Gov't Pledges Support For Everglades Restoration(05 of29)
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EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 11: Rain clouds are seen over the Florida Everglades on August 11, 2011 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The Obama administration announced it will pump $100 million into Everglades restoration. The money will go to buy land from ranchers as much as 24,000 acres - some 37 square miles - in four counties northwest of Lake Okeechobee and preserve them under permanent conservation easements. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Gov't Pledges Support For Everglades Restoration(06 of29)
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EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 11: A blue heron is seen flying in the Florida Everglades on August 11, 2011 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The Obama administration announced it will pump $100 million into Everglades restoration. The money will go to buy land from ranchers as much as 24,000 acres - some 37 square miles - in four counties northwest of Lake Okeechobee and preserve them under permanent conservation easements. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Florida Scales Back Everglades Sugar Land Deal(07 of29)
Open Image Modal
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 05: An alligator floats in a pond in the Florida Everglades after the South Florida Water Management District announced it may reduce the size of the deal it had announced earlier in the year with U.S. Sugar on August 5, 2010 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The original proposal, announced in 2008, was to buy all of the U.S. Sugar Corporations assets and use the land to replenish the Everglades, letting water from Lake Okeechobee run its natural route. The plan now because of state budget cut backs is to buy 26,800 acres and retain a 10-year option to buy the rest of the land. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Gov't Pledges Support For Everglades Restoration(08 of29)
Open Image Modal
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 11: An alligator is seen in the Florida Everglades on August 11, 2011 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The Obama administration announced it will pump $100 million into Everglades restoration. The money will go to buy land from ranchers as much as 24,000 acres - some 37 square miles - in four counties northwest of Lake Okeechobee and preserve them under permanent conservation easements. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Florida Scales Back Everglades Sugar Land Deal(09 of29)
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EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 05: A hawk flies in the Florida Everglades after the South Florida Water Management District announced it may reduce the size of the deal it had announced earlier in the year with U.S. Sugar on August 5, 2010 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The original proposal, announced in 2008, was to buy all of the U.S. Sugar Corporations assets and use the land to replenish the Everglades, letting water from Lake Okeechobee run its natural route. The plan now because of state budget cut backs is to buy 26,800 acres and retain a 10-year option to buy the rest of the land. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Florida Scales Back Everglades Sugar Land Deal(10 of29)
Open Image Modal
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 05: A hawk is perched in the Florida Everglades after the South Florida Water Management District announced it may reduce the size of the deal it had announced earlier in the year with U.S. Sugar on August 5, 2010 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The original proposal, announced in 2008, was to buy all of the U.S. Sugar Corporations assets and use the land to replenish the Everglades, letting water from Lake Okeechobee run its natural route. The plan now because of state budget cut backs is to buy 26,800 acres and retain a 10-year option to buy the rest of the land. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Florida Scales Back Everglades Sugar Land Deal(11 of29)
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EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 05: A Great Egret flies in the Florida Everglades after the South Florida Water Management District announced it may reduce the size of the deal it had announced earlier in the year with U.S. Sugar on August 5, 2010 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The original proposal, announced in 2008, was to buy all of the U.S. Sugar Corporations assets and use the land to replenish the Everglades, letting water from Lake Okeechobee run its natural route. The plan now because of state budget cut backs is to buy 26,800 acres and retain a 10-year option to buy the rest of the land. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Florida Scales Back Everglades Sugar Land Deal(12 of29)
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EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 05: The sun shines over the Florida Everglades after the South Florida Water Management District announced it may reduce the size of the deal it had announced earlier in the year with U.S. Sugar on August 5, 2010 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The original proposal, announced in 2008, was to buy all of the U.S. Sugar Corporations assets and use the land to replenish the Everglades, letting water from Lake Okeechobee run its natural route. The plan now because of state budget cut backs is to buy 26,800 acres and retain a 10-year option to buy the rest of the land. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Florida Scales Back Everglades Sugar Land Deal(13 of29)
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EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 05: An Epiphytes plant grows in the Florida Everglades after the South Florida Water Management District announced it may reduce the size of the deal it had announced earlier in the year with U.S. Sugar on August 5, 2010 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The original proposal, announced in 2008, was to buy all of the U.S. Sugar Corporations assets and use the land to replenish the Everglades, letting water from Lake Okeechobee run its natural route. The plan now because of state budget cut backs is to buy 26,800 acres and retain a 10-year option to buy the rest of the land. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Red-winged Blackbird(14 of29)
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A red-winged blackbird perches in the Everglades National Park, Fla., Monday, April 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) (credit:AP)
Florida Scales Back Everglades Sugar Land Deal(15 of29)
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EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 05: Clouds loom over the Florida Everglades after the South Florida Water Management District announced it may reduce the size of the deal it had announced earlier in the year with U.S. Sugar on August 5, 2010 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The original proposal, announced in 2008, was to buy all of the U.S. Sugar Corporations assets and use the land to replenish the Everglades, letting water from Lake Okeechobee run its natural route. The plan now because of state budget cut backs is to buy 26,800 acres and retain a 10-year option to buy the rest of the land. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
(16 of29)
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In this photo taken Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, a flower grows in the water in the Florida Everglades. A seemingly door-shut debate over expanding Everglades oil drilling was singlehandedly reignited by Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, when the Minnesota congresswoman said this week she (credit:AP)
New Interior Secretary Sally Jewell Tours Florida Wildlife Refuge(17 of29)
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BOYNTON BEACH, FL - MAY 01: The Florida Everglades is seen as Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell , visits the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge on May 1, 2013 in Boynton Beach, Florida. In addition to an airboat ride through the area, Secretary Jewell received briefings on restoration issues including water flow, water quality, endangered species and invasive species. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
New Interior Secretary Sally Jewell Tours Florida Wildlife Refuge(18 of29)
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BOYNTON BEACH, FL - MAY 01: An alligator is seen in the water as Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell , visits the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in the Florida Everglades on May 1, 2013 in Boynton Beach, Florida. In addition to an airboat ride through the area, Secretary Jewell received briefings on restoration issues including water flow, water quality, endangered species and invasive species. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Alligator(19 of29)
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An aligator swims in the everglades waters at Holiday Park, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. Holiday Park is an eco adventure park located on the edge of the Florida everglades that takes tourists on airboat rides. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) (credit:AP)
Congress Debates Everglades Restoration In Face Of Bush Veto Threat(20 of29)
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EVERGLADES, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: A rain cloud moves over the Florida Everglades September 12, 2007 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) recently accused the White House of playing politics at the expense of the Everglades with two recent actions -- a threat to veto a bill with $2 billion for restoration projects and backing the removal of Everglades National Park from an international list of ''endangered'' sites. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Congress Debates Everglades Restoration In Face Of Bush Veto Threat(21 of29)
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EVERGLADES, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: The sun sets over a pond in the Florida Everglades September 12, 2007 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) recently accused the White House of playing politics at the expense of the Everglades with two recent actions -- a threat to veto a bill with $2 billion for restoration projects and backing the removal of Everglades National Park from an international list of ''endangered'' sites. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Congress Debates Everglades Restoration In Face Of Bush Veto Threat(22 of29)
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EVERGLADES, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: A Great Egret flies in the Florida Everglades September 12, 2007 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) recently accused the White House of playing politics at the expense of the Everglades with two recent actions -- a threat to veto a bill with $2 billion for restoration projects and backing the removal of Everglades National Park from an international list of ''endangered'' sites. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Audubon Society Sponsors Annual Christmas Bird Count(23 of29)
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EVERGLADES, FL - DECEMBER 20: A white heron flies during the Audubon Societies Christmas Bird Count December 20, 2006 in the Florida Everglades National Park. The bird count is the oldest and largest citizen science event in the world. For over a hundred years, people have gathered together during the winter holiday season to count birds around the country. From mid-December to early January information is gathered to keep track of the number of species and individual birds that inhabit the region, state and nation. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Audubon Society Sponsors Annual Christmas Bird Count(24 of29)
Open Image Modal
EVERGLADES, FL - DECEMBER 20: A heron is spotted during the Audubon Societies Christmas Bird Count December 20, 2006 in the Florida Everglades National Park. The bird count is the oldest and largest citizen science event in the world. For over a hundred years, people have gathered together during the winter holiday season to count birds around the country. From mid-December to early January information is gathered to keep track of the number of species and individual birds that inhabit the region, state and nation. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Judge Focus Of Sugar Industry Ire Over Everglades Cleanup(25 of29)
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EVERGLADES, FLORIDA: A fox puppy stands next to its lair June 5, 2003 in the Florida Everglades. Sugar growers moved June 4 to force a federal judge off an Everglades restoration case he has presided over for over a decade. Following efforts by Florida to postpone a 2006 deadline in a 1992 consent agreement for cleaning up water from farms and suburban homes flowing into the Everglades, U.S. District Senior Judge William Hoeveler called the efforts 'clearly defective.' The sugar industry is attempting to get Hoeveler disqualified from the case. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Congress Debates Everglades Restoration In Face Of Bush Veto Threat(26 of29)
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EVERGLADES, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Rain clouds move through the Florida Everglades September 12, 2007 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) recently accused the White House of playing politics at the expense of the Everglades with two recent actions -- a threat to veto a bill with $2 billion for restoration projects and backing the removal of Everglades National Park from an international list of ''endangered'' sites. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
New Interior Secretary Sally Jewell Tours Florida Wildlife Refuge(27 of29)
Open Image Modal
BOYNTON BEACH, FL - MAY 01: A Blue Heron is seen as Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell , visits the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in the Florida Everglades on May 1, 2013 in Boynton Beach, Florida. In addition to an airboat ride through the area, Secretary Jewell received briefings on restoration issues including water flow, water quality, endangered species and invasive species. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(28 of29)
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A little green heron perches on a branch in the Everglades National Park, Fla., Monday, April 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) (credit:AP)
Florida Scales Back Everglades Sugar Land Deal(29 of29)
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EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL - AUGUST 05: A tree grows in the Florida Everglades after the South Florida Water Management District announced it may reduce the size of the deal it had announced earlier in the year with U.S. Sugar on August 5, 2010 in the Everglades National Park, Florida. The original proposal, announced in 2008, was to buy all of the U.S. Sugar Corporations assets and use the land to replenish the Everglades, letting water from Lake Okeechobee run its natural route. The plan now because of state budget cut backs is to buy 26,800 acres and retain a 10-year option to buy the rest of the land. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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