Missing Woman Safe After 'Emerging' From Nashville River

Authorities are calling it a "miracle" in Nashville, where a New Jersey woman who was visiting the city was found safe after what WSMV describes as an "urgent, hourslong search." Allie Chmiel, 33, was downtown with a friend Wednesday night and by the wee hours of Thursday, they got separated. Later Thursday morning, police announced Chmiel had "emerged from the riverbank" of the Cumberland River—the same river where University of Missouri student Riley Strain drowned in March. Per a police spokesperson, foul play is not suspected in Chmiel's disappearance, People reports.

However, there was concern before she was found due to drops of blood that were found on the sidewalk, where Chmiel's shoes were also found. In addition, a sergeant says Chmiel had apparently "made a phone call to her mom which made her mom believe she was in distress." However, she was relatively unscathed, and was taken to the hospital simply for evaluation after emerging from the river with just some cuts. Her clothes were also dirty and ripped. She told police she did not know how she ended up in the river. "I think it is truly a miracle that she was fine," says the sergeant. An investigation is underway. (More Nashville stories.)