By Canadian Press

Boy, 5, playing game of hide-and-seek is found by RCMP helicopter in B.C.

Mar 21, 2025 | 2:39 PM

MISSION, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA — Mounties in Mission, B.C., say a police helicopter crew spotted a five-year-old boy after he went missing during a game of hide-and-seek.

Police say the boy was at a children’s camp near Mission on Tuesday when he walked away from the rest of the group playing in a forested area.

Staff and the boy’s parents searched for him for about an hour before they called police for help.

RCMP say they co-ordinated a search and called out a large contingent of resources, including Mission Search and Rescue, the police dog service, the integrated emergency response team and an RCMP helicopter.

The helicopter crew spotted the boy under a tree, standing near a creek about a kilometre from where he was last seen and searchers on the ground were able to quickly get to the boy.

Two and Out

PETERS: Eby's Bill 7 fights Trump with more Trump

19h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Sometimes we realize we've made a huge blunder when it's too late to change it

Mar 20, 2025

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Time to stop hanging on Trump's every word

Mar 19, 2025

The RCMP say in a statement that the boy was uninjured and in good spirits.

Police say the search effort highlights the importance of calling them as soon as someone goes missing.

“Even little legs can travel a surprisingly far distance in a short amount of time, “Cpl. Harrison Mohr with Mission RCMP said.

“No one wants to have to report a child as missing, but it’s so important to do so as soon as you realize that you can’t find them — especially somewhere like this, where we had to be aware of potential hazards including the forest, a creek, and the nearby lake.”

Mohr said every minute counts in these types of situations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 21, 2025.

The Canadian Press