ELY, Minn. (AP) — A search for canoeists in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northeastern Minnesota is over.

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says the two canoeists were found early Friday during a search by air near Oyster Lake. Sheriff's officials say the canoeists used a flashlight to signal to the airplane operated by the Minnesota State Patrol.

A helicopter from the Air National Guard in Duluth picked up the two. They weren't seriously injured but were taken to the hospital in Ely as a precaution.

Authorities initially believed there were three canoeists, but said that wasn't the case. There were just two. They were due to come out of the wilderness area on Monday and a search by land, air and water was launched.

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