Boy, 5, located safe and sound after going missing during hike

A family in Greater Sudbury got quite the scare Tuesday evening during a hike in Lake Laurentian Conservation area.

Police were called at 6:30 p.m. after the child was separated from a group of two parents and six children who were hiking a section of trail at the Conservation area. The area has 11 marked self-guided, four-season trails.

“After a few hours into their hike, the boy became separated from the group and was lost,” police said in a release. “Given the age of the child, the terrain, weather and fast approaching sunset, responding uniformed officers recognized the urgency of the search.”

Search and rescue officers were supported by police officers, EMS and fire services.

A passing cyclist driving along a section of trail alerted police and took them to an area where he believed he heard the voice of a child. Officers searched the area and the lost boy was located – in good health, just minutes before dark. The boy was located about five kilometres from where he was last seen on the south west shore of Laurentian Lake.

“The Greater Sudbury Police would like to thank community members and emergency responders who assisted during this search,” the release said.