Missing 40-year-old man last seen walking on highway in Fannin County found safe, police say

The search for a missing 40-year-old Georgia man has ended in good news after officials say he was found safe.

The Fannin County Emergency Management Agency sent out an audio alert for 40-year-old James Hammond over the weekend. Since then, other agencies in multiple counties have joined the search for Hammond.

According to Fannin County officials, Hammond was traveling with family members in a vehicle on Georgia Highway 60, when they stopped near the intersection of the highway and Dial Road. At that point, authorities say Hammond left the vehicle and walked away, heading southbound on the highway. Family members say he did not have a cell phone or any other items when he left.

On Saturday, deputies with the Fannin County Sheriff's Office, the Fannin County Emergency Management Agency and Search and Rescue searched an approximately 3-mile radius around where Hammond was last seen but found no evidence of where he could have gone.

Authorities planned to be back in the area on Tuesday morning with K9 officers to search. However, officials announced on Monday afternoon that Hammond had been found.

"We would like to thank everyone who shared his information, remained vigilant, reported information, and assisted with the search efforts," the Fannin County Emergency Management Agency said. "We greatly appreciate the support and cooperation of our community and all agencies and personnel who assisted."