A parent's nightmare was avoided when Police responded by air and ground to reports of a missing child in Glendene.
Police received a 111 call on Friday, just before 12.30pm.
Mum reported that their young boy, who has autism, had gone missing from their property.
“A neighbour had seen the boy walking towards an area of bush which leads towards an estuary,” says acting Inspector Nick Salter, Waitematā West Police.
“Time became critical, given high tide was coming in a few hours, so we had Eagle overhead searching the water.”
Within minutes, the boy was located at the water’s edge playing near mangroves.
Nick says Eagle directed ground staff to the precise location.
“Staff made their way through the mangroves to the boy. He was wet and muddy but fortunately he was safe, and not in need of medical assistance.”
Police were able to safely return the boy to his family.
“Anyone who has kids will know how terrifying this would have been, and we are fortunate that this could be safely resolved so quickly,” says Nick.
“It’s a great result by all our staff that responded on Friday.”