A missing four-year-old was found alive after spending two days in the wilderness, police have confirmed.
Ryker Webb went missing in Montana, sparking a huge three-state-wide search involving rescue squads with K-9 units, boats, drones, helicopters and infrared cameras, according to Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
But as reported by Sheriff Darren Short, it was a nearby cabin owner who actually found the young boy and immediately called responders.
Advert
When the police turned up he was said to be in good health, albeit 'hungry, thirsty and cold'.
"The owners of the cabin saw on Facebook that the child was missing and they came to check on the property," Short said. "They found him in a shed where they had a generator."
Webb was last seen on Friday, 3 June, playing in the back garden with his family dog when a neighbour noticed he'd gone missing and notified police.
Advert
Officers from the Sheriff's Office and David Thompson Search and Rescue team were the first to respond, sending out a code red to residents in the area while sparking the huge search.
As well as tricky terrain, weather conditions made the search difficult, with the area suffering from thunderstorms, heavy rain and heavy mist.
Speaking about these conditions on Saturday, Short said: “We covered several miles in all directions, but the rugged terrain and brush made it difficult. Two Bear Air and Life Flight helicopters would have normally searched last night with their infrared, but it wasn’t possible with the poor weather that occurred Friday night."
Advert
Efforts by authorities across Montana, Idaho and Washington were accompanied by trained search and rescue volunteers who used ATV task vehicles to comb through the surrounding area.
While 80 percent of missing children are found within the first 24 hours, Webb beat the odds and on Sunday, as 53 searchers were on task looking for him, a report came in from the cabin owners saying they may have found him.
Officers turned up to identify the boy as Webb, and he was reported to be in good spirits despite being understandably hungry and cold.
He was found in Sanders County, around 2.4 miles away from his home, and was wearing nothing but his pyjamas.
Bull Lake Volunteer Ambulance responded to assess the boy before taking him to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
Advert
As well as thanking all of the authorities for helping with the search efforts, Short expressed gratitude to Halfway House Bar and Grill, Stillwater Christian Church, Rosauers Supermarkets and others for providing food and water for those involved.
“I was surprised, and grateful, that the National Guard helicopters were able to get here to help,” Short said, later adding: “I truly want to thank everyone who came out to help."
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected]
Topics: US News