WATCH: Highland rescue mission response hailed as missing seven-year-old found on Fyrish hill
THE swift response of emergency services and hundreds of local volunteers to the plight of a missing seven year old has drawn warm praise today after a night of high drama in a Highland community.
As previously reported, the boy, understood to be Lithuanian and the son of visitors to the area, was posted missing after he was not at the carpark meeting place as expected after running ahead of his parents.
The alarm was raised with police at 7.05pm last night with Coastguard and local mountain rescue teams quickly being rallied.
Police said he was traced by officers and that searchers stood down at around 9.10pm.
HM Coastguard confirmed it had been called to assist Police Scotland with a report of a missing person near Alness.
A spokesman said: “The alarm was raised at 7.20pm yesterday evening (Saturday, August 10).
“HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter, Dundee Mountain Rescue Team and Dornoch, Cromarty and Inverness Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) were called to assist.
“The search was stood down at 9.10pm, after the person was located safe and well.”
Those were a very tense couple of hours for many volunteer searchers and well-wishers involved as news of any breakthrough was eagerly awaited.
Much of the community effort and information flow was channelled through the We Are Evanton social media page.
And today, one of its admins, Annelise Graham, posted: “I would like to say a massive thank you for the help with the search yesterday for the missing 7-year-old at Fyrish.
“The emergency services turned out in force and were incredibly quick once contacted - including police, mountain rescue, ambulance and coastguard to name just a few.
“And of course to the literally HUNDREDS of local folk who dropped everything to scour every inch of Fyrish! Along with the heartfelt messages of hope from those who wanted to come but could not manage.
“The poor wee boy must have been so happy to see a friendly face and be reunited with his family after a good 4 hours of being lost.
“What an amazing effort everyone - the kindness of you is outstanding!”
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