Watch: Child lost in mountains for 2 days, rescued by K9 Unit (exclusive interview with mother)
The officers rushed the child to Emmaus Hospital for treatment after spending 2 nights alone out in the wilderness
A harrowing ordeal has sent shock waves through the community of Emmaus after a two-year-old baby, Nomfondo Mkhwanazi, went missing in the mountains on Wednesday last week.
The Ladysmith Gazette spoke to the mother of the child, Sthombe Sishi, and in an exclusive interview, she recalled the ordeal that has left the family in shock.
She says that on Wednesday, her child was playing outside a neighbour’s home in the Emmaus area while she was visiting at the home. When she left the house later, she found that her child was missing.
Also read: Update: Search for missing child called off
[uses_iframe src=”https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d65995.78081901165!2d29.316993112383987!3d-28.867091014546613!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x1ef2fe99f35af59d%3A0x99c888668a0aa790!2sMavumbuka+High+School!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sza!4v1530618367852″ width=”600″ height=”450″ frameborder=”0″ style=”border:0″ allowfullscreen]The community searched for the toddler throughout the afternoon and into the night, but the baby was nowhere to be found. Police were contacted on Thursday afternoon, with the Ladysmith K9 Unit (Search & Rescue) responding to the scene.
According to Warrant Officer Meyer and Warrant Officer Lalbeharie, they searched the mountainous area around the homes up until about 10pm, with the search being called off due to a combination of bad light and rough terrain.
Chief Freddie Halgreen (Okhahlamba Fire & Emergency Services) and Warrant Officer Gouws (Search & Rescue PMB) also responded to the scene to assist the search party, which consisted of police and community members.
The search continued on Friday morning. The rescue team walked for approximately 3km before suddenly hearing echoes of a child’s cries coming from the mountaintop. They honed in on the cries, with W/O Meyer and residents finding the child at the top of the mountain.
W/O Meyer carried the two-year-old down the mountain to her family, who were delighted to have her back safe and sound. There were tears of joy as the baby was handed over to the mother.
Despite plummeting temperatures, the brave toddler survived the icy conditions.
The child was taken to Emmaus Hospital for treatment after spending two nights alone on the mountain. The little girl was discharged from hospital on Monday.
In an emotional interview, the K9 officers said that having been to so many incidents over the years, this one was a huge relief for them, as a child that had been missing for almost three days was found alive and safe.
They say that, 99% of the time, incidents like this end in tragedy.
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