Great Barrington — Police Chief William Walsh and Fire Chief Charles Burger are pleased to report that search and rescue teams successfully located a 13-year-old special needs child who went missing early this afternoon during a hike.
Rescuers responded at 12:15 p.m. to the Fountain Pond State Park, a 250-acre park bisected by US Route 7 for a report of a missing hiker. Upon arrival, officials were told that a 13-year-old boy became separated from his group during a hike and could not be located.
Firefighters began a search of approximately 3 miles of trails, but were unable to locate the boy.
Multiple jurisdictions were summoned to conduct a thorough search of the area, including:
- Great Barrington Police and Fire Crews
- Great Barrington Police K-9
- K-9 units from Pittsfield and Williamstown
- The Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and Mobile Communications Vehicle
- The Massachusetts State Police Airwing, State Police Search and Emergency Response Team
- Berkshire County Mountain Search and Rescue Team
- Massachusetts Environmental Police
- The Sheffield Fire Department
- The Stockbridge Fire Department and Stockbridge Fire Boat
Crews deployed over a wide area. Thankfully, the boy was found shortly before 7 p.m. at the top of a ridge well of the trails. He was found unharmed and in good health. Rescuers reunited him with his parents.
More than 75 rescuers took part in the search.
“This was a tremendous team effort that involved dozens of rescuers from many of our neighboring and partner agencies. I am very pleased that so many resources could muster in a short time, resulting in the successful rescue of this young boy,” Chief Walsh said.
Added Chief Burger: “Mutual aid is a force multiplier that allows Berkshire County emergency services to greatly increase our effectiveness in times of need. The system showed its value today, and a child was reunited with his family.”
