Two boys were found safe after getting lost near Mohave Valley near the California border after rescuers followed their footprints to find them.
Atom and Jack Ward, ages 12 and 10, got lost while playing outside at about 4 p.m. Oct 11. One of the boys was barefoot, and their father and search and rescue efforts tracked the boys using footprints, according to the Mohave County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team. Rescuers determined the footprints belonged to the boys and continued to follow the prints, Sheriff’s Office officials said.
A Central Air Rescue Department of Public Safety helicopter was sent to help with the search, and a K9 was deployed, the team said. During the search, local businesses were contacted to see if anyone had seen
the children passing through.
The boys were found at around midnight near Spirit Mountain Casino in Mohave Valley, according to the team.
Family met them there and brought them back home, the team said. Both were in good health, with Jack Ward confirmed to be barefoot, the team said.
Corina Vanek covers development for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at cvanek@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X @CorinaVanek.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Missing Arizona boys found after rescuers track footprints
