Four people were brought safely to shore Saturday night after they were spotted clinging to their capsized boat on the Roanoke River near the Gaston Bridge.
Assistant Gaston Fire-Rescue-EMS Chief Eddie Porter II said in a statement late Saturday the unit was dispatched to the area shortly before 10:30 p.m.
The trouble was called in by boaters who heard the people calling for help.
Two swift water rescue teams were deployed with two boats. Units searched the area and quickly located four victims who were clinging to their capsized boat.
The small aluminum boat was found pinned against a bridge pillar. Throw bags were deployed and the victims were hoisted into a rescue boat. All four victims were safely taken to shore where they denied medical assessment.
The victims involved were from the Margarettsville area and included a 17-year-old girl, a 21-year-old man, a 25-year-old woman, and a 25-year-old man.
Also on the scene was the Gaston Police Department and Northampton County Emergency Management.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Enforcement division is leading the investigation.