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Skidegate search Friday ends on happy note

Twenty people helped search Skidegate after an 8-year old boy disappeared from school Friday afternoon.
The boy left school for lunch, but never made it home. Police and searchers were looking for him by 1:00 pm, and he was located at 2:15 pm, said Cst. Pat Jenkins, the officer in charge of the search.
"When he saw people looking for him, he got scared and hid," said Cst. Jenkins.
The search had an impact on the Kwuna because police delayed departures while they searched. Cst. Jenkins explained that when a child goes missing, police assume he or she is either injured and down, abducted or runaway. Because it was 40 minutes before police learned of the disappearance, they had to assume he could be anywhere on Graham Island and try to prevent him from being taken off the islands.
The search began with a drive through town, and then searchers went along a creek near Balance Rock Road where the boy apparently liked to play. After establishing that he was no-where along the creek or nearby beach, the searchers began looking through the bush, and found him about a block from the school hiding in the trees.
The boy was unhurt and in good spirits, said Cst. Jenkins.
Within half an hour of putting out a call for searchers on marine radio, 20 people had shown up to help. Cst. Jenkins said he was very impressed with the turn out, and thanks everyone who volunteered.