Members of the Cranbrook/Kimberley RCMP detachment, search-and-rescue crews and a police dog have ended their search of an East Kootenay campground after a two-year-old boy was reunited with his family.
Two-year-old Issac was on a family walk Saturday night in Premier Lake Provincial Campground when the group noticed the boy was missing.
“Mom had been out for a walk with her three children,” said Cpl. Chris Newel of Cranbrook/Kimberley RCMP. “Around seven o’clock she realized that the youngest, the two-year-old, was missing and she’d only just seen him less than minutes before.”
Newel says family, friends and other campers searched for about 45 minutes before calling police. Search-and-rescue crews were dispatched to the scene and spent the better part of the night looking for Issac.
The search continued Sunday morning with a group of roughly 70 volunteers and two helicopters scouring the area. At approximately 11:00 a.m., a hungry but unscathed Issac was found.
“He was found in the vicinity of Yankee Lake off the path by one of our search volunteers," said Newel. "They heard a noise in the bushes , first maybe thought is it a bird or a squirrel, and realized it was young Issac there so they were able to radio back that he had been found."
"He was in good health but had quite a few scratches on himself."
Newel says Issac was missing for roughly 16 hours and wandered approximately two kilometres from the campground.
Jill Leuenberger, the boy's grandmother, says the family is incredibly relieved.
"We had a strong prayer circle last night," Leuenberger told CTV, "and we believe that made a big difference."
Issac was fed and bathed by his mother before he had a chance to meet his search party.
Premier Lake Provincial Park is situated near Highway 95 approximately 60 kilometres north of Cranbrook, B.C.
