DATE: Tuesday, September 23, 1997           TAG: 9709230244

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   25 lines

TWO ADULTS, FIVE CHILDREN FEARED LOST IN THE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP

A search by fire and rescue officials was organized late Monday night for two adults and five children feared lost in the Great Dismal Swamp.

All seven are believed to have entered the swamp sometime around 4 p.m. Monday, according to Suffolk police spokesman Mike Simpkins. Police were notified that the group was overdue about 8:30 p.m.

The missing adults were identified as Richard and Evelyn Davis. The children were not identified but range in age from 3 to 13.

Emergency officials set up a command post Monday night at Jericho Road in Suffolk. A team of about 17 people was being readied to search the swamp late Monday, Simpkins said.

Simpkins said the swamp often confuses hikers who enter the refuge near dark.

``We have veteran hunters go into the woods and get lost,'' Simpkins said. ``It is not uncommon for a layman to get off of a path and get turned around.'' KEYWORDS: MISSING PERSON

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