The Latest: Student says 3 regularly shouted for help

CUSHMAN, Ark. – The Latest on Arkansas State University students who went missing inside of a cave (all times local):

6:55 p.m.

One of three Arkansas State University students who went missing inside of a cave said they kept warm overnight by staying close.

Casey Sherwood told KATV-TV that they also regularly shouted for help when they realized they were lost. The 25-year-old Sherwood and two Japanese students — 19-year-old Daiki Itoh and 18-year-old Daisuke Takagi — were rescued Thursday.

Sherwood said he felt a little bit of panic when he realized they were lost. The three decided to stay in place to not get lost further. He said the three used their body heat to keep warm.

Sherwood’s wife had reported the three missing Wednesday night. Crews had been searching for the students in Blowing Cave near Cushman, 110 miles north of Little Rock.

Sherwood is from Jonesboro, Arkansas. Itoh is from Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, and Takagi is from Kawagoe Hi-who, Hyogo.

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6:10 p.m.

Arkansas State University says an American student and two Japanese students who went missing inside of a cave have been found alive.

The university said in a statement Thursday that rescue teams had located 25-year-old Casey Sherwood, 19-year-old Daiki Itoh and 18-year-old Daisuke Takagi. The school did not have any information about their condition.

Sherwood’s wife had reported the three missing Wednesday night. Crews had been searching for the students in Blowing Cave near Cushman, 110 miles north of Little Rock.

Independence County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Glen Willis told KAIT-TV the three were found OK 30 minutes from the entrance of the cave. Willis did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

Sherwood is from Jonesboro, Arkansas. Itoh is from Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, and Takagi is from Kawagoe Hi-who, Hyogo.

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1:35 p.m.

Arkansas State University says three students, including two from Japan, are missing in a cave in northern Arkansas.

A university statement says the wife of 25-year-old student Casey Sherwood reported him missing Wednesday night, along with Japanese exchange students, 19-year-old Daiki Itoh and 18-year-old Daisuke Takagi.

Independence County Office of Emergency Management co-ordinator Glen Willis told KAIT-TV that two crews are searching for the students in Blowing Cave in Cushman, 110 miles north of Little Rock. Cave-mapping experts are assisting.

Willis and officials with the Independence County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment.

Sherwood is from Jonesboro, Arkansas. Itoh is from Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, and Takagi is from Kawagoe Hi-who, Hyogo.