A young boy successfully called for help after finding himself lost in the Colorado mountains, as confirmed by Douglas County Search and Rescue (DCSAR) field director Dave Arnett.
The young boy, just 10 years old, set off on an ATV adventure with his family in Rampart Range, Colorado, located approximately 50 miles south of Denver. At approximately noon on December 9, he parted ways with his family for a brief excursion, intending to return shortly.
At approximately 1:45 p.m., he came to the realization that he was disoriented in a series of technical trails, leading him to notify the authorities. “He remained composed, contacted emergency services (allowing them to pinpoint his location and initiate DCSAR), and waited in one spot until we reached him,” stated a post on DCSAR’s Facebook page from December 9.
Upon receiving the call, the office quickly mobilized 25 volunteers who assisted using ATVs, UAVs, or by foot.
“Our drone pilot was able to fly a drone to those coordinates and actually see the young man, and we were able to follow up with our ATV team and get to him and actually rescue him and bring him out,” the DCSAR rep said. The drone was used initially to communicate with the child. It was then used to deliver a plastic bag with protein bars, gel packs, water, a winter hat and a thermal blanket for him until authorities arrived at the site.
A few hours later, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the child was safely reunited with his parents and family. “It was a heartwarming moment to reunite this 10-year-old boy with his worried family,” Arnett stated, noting that the boy’s family remained at the search and rescue agency’s command post throughout the operation.
Arnett shared that they managed to keep the family updated thanks to the assistance of drone footage. “They were able to observe when we made contact, and they understood that we were communicating with him; we could pass that information along.”
“They were kept in tune very much all the way through,” Arnett continued. “But, it’s never done till your child’s back in your arms.”
“Overjoyed to say it worked out well, and the young rider is ok and back with his family (a priceless reunion),” read the Facebook post.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office proudly shared the successful outcome of the rescue mission on Facebook.
“We are so proud of our Douglas County Search and Rescue family!! This was the first time, other than during training, that supplies had been dropped via drone. This is just another great example of the extent we will go to take care of our community,” the sheriff’s office wrote.