BOY FOUND AFTER NIGHT IN WOODEND PLANTATION

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29398, 28 December 1960, Page 10

BOY FOUND AFTER NIGHT IN WOODEND PLANTATION

Happily riding his bicycle and playing with friends outside his parents’ home at 12 Cracroft terrace yesterday morning, Geoffrey Vernon Butcher, aged seven, seemed none the worse for his night’s ordeal in pine plantation and sandhills country at Woodend after losing himself on Monday afternoon. After an extensive search which continued throughout Monday night and resumed .at first light yesterday with many more helpers taking part, Geoffrey was found at 5.30 a.m. a mile and a half from where he had strayed and become lost on Monday. Geoffrey showed remarkable enterprise in the situation in which he found himself. Wearing only a bathing costume, he made a large pile of pine needles among the trees, and covered himself with these to keep warm during the night. For added “luxury,” he made a smaller pile for a pillow. Then, while the search continued into the night, Geoffrey slept He did not awaken until he heard branches and twigs breaking under the feet of one of the searchers, who was also calling out his name. He was taken to Mr R. E. Burnet’s store at Woodend and given a warm meal and drink before going to his home. Geoffrey disappeared while his parents were having a picnic at Woodend beach. His parents searched the area until nearly 6 p.m. and then notified the

police. A big search was quickly organised, with police from Christchurch, Kaiapoi, and Rangiora taking part, as well as about 70 campers and residents of the area. Some searchers continued throughout the night, and before dawn yesterday many others who had learnt of the boy’s plight joined the search. A large area of sandhills, plantation, and scrub from the sea inland, and in each direction from the place Geoffrey was last seen, was covered. “Just Wandered Off”

Geoffrey told his parents yesterday he “just wandered off” from where he had been surfbathing with his brother. He found himself in an area of scrub, and after chasing a hare which he put up realised he could not find his way out to the beach before dark. He then decided to shelter in the area of pines in which he was found, between Woodend and Kairaki beach.

Geoffrey was carried back to the store at Woodend and given a meal and drink. “He had a rest when he got home. I thought he would go back to sleep again but he is now out playing,” said Mrs Butcher yesterday afternoon. . She thanked the police and al) persons who had helped in the search for her son, and the storekeeper who provided refreshments for persons from Christchurch and other outlying areas who helped in the search.