Incredible moment 8-year-old boy is found ALIVE in remote Michigan State Park 48 hours after getting lost in the woods during his first family camping trip
- Nante Niemi, 8, disappeared while camping in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
- Niemi, originally from Hurley, Wisconsin, had been camping with his family in the area with his family
- After a large-scale rescue operation, the boy was found on Monday afternoon
Rescue teams have found an eight-year-old boy who went missing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Saturday.
Nante Niemi disappeared in the middle of the day during his family’s field trip to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park around 1 p.m. local time on Saturday.
On Monday afternoon, rescue teams successfully found Niemi, who had braved the elements by sheltering under a log just two miles from his campsite.
In a statement, Michigan State Police said he was in good health and reunited with his family.
Pictured: The boy is carried through a wooded area of the park
Pictured: Niemi (centre) and a group of rescuers who helped find him
His mother had shared this picture of him on her Facebook profile
His mother Jessica had launched a desperate Facebook appeal, saying: “This is Nante but at this time they are not asking for help.
“We appreciate the support pouring out if they need any help which I will update.
“Please stay away, it makes it harder to find him!”
In a post on Facebook, the Hurley School District said, “From our Hurley School community to the hundreds of volunteers and organizations that helped bring Nante back safely, we cannot even adequately express our sincere gratitude.
“Although our emotions are very raw at this time, we would like to acknowledge the extreme outpouring of love and support we have received over the past few days!
“May all who have participated in the search and rescue effort know that your work will forever have a positive impact on many lives!”
More than 150 search and rescue personnel from Michigan State Police and local police, including nine K9s, searched the forty-square-mile area on foot for the boy
Air and water teams have also been called to the area to search for the missing youth, who was last seen wearing a white sweatshirt, gray sweatpants and black boots.
Pictured: A map showing the remote location on the Upper Peninsula
According to the Michigan State Police, family members had been camping at the state park, with half the family fishing while the other half collected firewood.
Nante had asked to return to the campsite and had walked around 1pm on Saturday, which was the last time he was seen.
Family members searched for the youth on their own before reporting the situation to law enforcement around 6pm on Saturday.
Michigan State Police warned that there is no cell service in the area and that they are working to improve communications.
After the boy was found safe, Michigan State Police said, “Michigan State Police would like to thank all of the volunteers and support services who have assisted in the search for this child.”
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is an area that includes 60,000 acres of forest, waterfalls, rivers, trails and ridges.