A 4-year-old boy was rescued after surviving alone for nearly 24 hours in the California woods.

CNN
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A 4-year-old boy reported missing Thursday from a lake in Fresno County, California, was found safe after surviving nearly 24 hours alone in the woods, the sheriff's office said.

Members of the Tulare County Search and Rescue team found Christian Ramirez around 8 a.m. Friday, about a quarter mile from where he reportedly went missing the day before. Rescuers found Christian under a tree, according to CNN affiliate KFSN.

“We're fortunate this morning that as searchers were calling the boy, he called back,” Fresno County Sheriff's Lt. Brandon Pursell told KFSN.

Christian was tired and hungry but in good health, the sheriff's office said. He found his parents.

“There are a lot of things that could have gone really wrong with this one, and we were lucky, the family was lucky. The boy is very lucky to be with his family,” Pursell told CNN affiliate KABC.

The child was found in a wooded area, Pursell told KABC, and “it was pretty clear that he had been lost and was kind of hunkered down all night.” The three-foot-tall, 40-pound boy braved the woods at night wearing a T-shirt and shorts, according to KFSN.

“Huntington is known for having bears. There are also feline possibilities up there. We also have snakes. There are lots of little dangers up there. Slip and fall hazards and waterways,” Pursell said.

The family reported their son missing from their campsite at Rancheria Campground in Huntington Lake around 11 a.m. Thursday.

“Within five minutes, he just disappeared,” Pursell said.

That's when the search and rescue team, air support unit, Forest Service rangers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers went looking for him. in the northeast area of ​​Huntington Lake.

Dogs, helicopters and nearly 70 rescuers searched for Christian throughout the night, according to KFSN.

“It was an incredible display of teamwork and dedication. There were over 50 deputies and volunteers who came together to assist in this search,” the sheriff’s office said. “This included members of other law enforcement agencies who assisted us, working non-stop through the night. »

The sheriff's office said the community's efforts also helped them rescue Christian and bring him home.

“Many people offered to help with the search, kept their eyes open, spread the word on social media and sent prayers. All of this undoubtedly contributed to bringing Christian home safely,” the office said.