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Western Australian man Chris O’Reilly says he may have “run on water” when news came that his three-year-old son had been found safe after disappearing in a dense bush south of Perth.
The boy had left his parents’ house at 7:30 am on Saturday morning, after going outside to play.
His disappearance prompted a major search in the remote resort area of Yallingup, before the boy’s uncle and grandfather found him 12 hours later, cold and wet in thick brush.
O’Reilly said there was only “joy and tears” when the news came that James was safe and sound.
“He could have run on water,” he told reporters Sunday. “It was the highlight of the worst day of my life.
“The fact that he was talking and smiling. She was definitely cold, scared and hungry.
“It was sad to see him like this. But it basically got out of there without a scratch. “
James’ tearful mother, Michelle Buckley, said she had feared the worst.
“Once sunset approached, I really started to panic,” he said. That’s what bothered me to think he was out there in his pajamas. It would have been freezing. “
Western Australian police said that given the time James had been exposed to rough terrain and bad weather, arrangements were made for him to have a medical check-up.
The boy also reported seeing a snake, which initially raised concerns about a possible bite.
Inspector Martin Voyez said heavy rains and hail made the search operation very challenging.
Police searched on foot, by air, on horseback and with sniffer dogs throughout the day, assisted by the State Emergency Service, local residents and members of the boy’s family. A drone was also deployed.
Washington Prime Minister Mark McGowan said finding James safe and sound was “fantastic.” “I am sure that all of us who are parents feel for their family in such a traumatic situation,” he said. “Finding little Jimmy was a wonderful thing. A tragedy avoided “.
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