CBC News
HALIFAX, Canada — The Nova Scotia boy rescued after spending two frigid nights in the woods has died.
James Delorey, 7, died overnight at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, the children’s hospital confirmed Tuesday.
Hospital officials said the little boy’s family was at his bedside. They said the family wanted to thank everyone involved in his care and would have more to say at some point.
Delorey was found Monday afternoon huddled in an area of thick brush and snow about a kilometre from his home in South Bar, near Sydney. He was unconscious and suffering from hypothermia and was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
Delorey was the subject of a massive search that involved search-and-rescue crews from around the province and hundreds of community volunteers.
The boy disappeared from his home on Saturday afternoon, apparently following the family dog, Chance, out of the backyard. He was dressed in jeans, a shirt and a vest, nothing fit for the cold weather that later hit the area.
Delorey had autism and didn’t speak, which meant searchers had to alter their regular techniques. They yelled out key words for the boy, such as “pizza,” and hoped by alerting Chance, the dog would lead them to Delorey.
Police also sought advice from a mother who has a child with autism.
The dog returned home on Monday morning. Searchers later found Delorey by a brook near Kilkenny Lake.
Search-and-rescue officials said no one will know for sure how the boy survived in the snow and cold, but they suspect the thick brush may have helped and he may have huddled with Chance.
Copyright 2009 CQ Transcriptions L.L.C
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2009 CBC
All Rights Reserved
CBC News