On the move on the balance bike – and suddenly gone
The family with two children from nearby Dresden was on the road to Amselsee above the well-known health resort of Rathen at midday when Jonas suddenly disappeared. “The five-year-old ran ahead on his red balance bike and disappeared from the parents’ field of vision at a hairpin bend,” said the police spokesman. “When they got there, he was gone.” The father and mother searched for almost half an hour and then reported their son missing. At the time of the disappearance, there were many visitors in the popular area not far from the Rathen rock stage.
Largealso deployed with dogs and helicopters
After the parents made an emergency call, a large contingent was deployed. Police officers, rescue workers from the mountain rescue service and national park rangers roamed the sometimes impassable area, which was also flown over with helicopters and drones from the Red Cross (DRK). “The full program,” it was said, right down to the water police who patrolled the Elbe at the exit of the valley, “in case the boy cycles down.”
Crowds on Easter Sunday hinders the rescue operation
The police also relied on the countless visitors in their feverish search for the boy. But the many hikers, walkers and day trippers made the rescue operation more difficult. The Amselsee and the tour from Rathen are among the most popular hiking and excursion destinations in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. “And with the beautiful weather and the holiday, there were masses of people out and about,” said the police spokesman. Such a small boy could easily be overlooked.
I am so relieved and so grateful that so many helpers helped and supported us. You can’t even express this fear of death.
Mother of Jonas
At 10:05 p.m. the saving news came: the child is alive. Rescue dog Blair had the right nose and led the emergency services to the boy in the forest, who also had his balance bike with him. “We are all happy that the matter ended happily,” said the police spokesman. Jonas’ mother, relieved and completely overwhelmed, thanked the helpers: “I am so relieved and so grateful that so many helpers helped us and supported us. You can’t even express the fear of death.”
Philipp Brille from the Saxony rescue dog team was also very satisfied at the end of the evening. A total of 16 dogs were used. “The dogs did a very good job,” said Glasses happily. The nature of the terrain and the darkness would have made the operation more difficult. “There’s a very big treat tonight.”