A three-year-old boy who went missing for two days in near-freezing temperatures was rescued after using a lawnmower bag to keep himself warm.
Ryker Webb went missing in the Montana wilderness wearing only a onesie but was found sheltering in an empty log cabin just a couple of miles from his home.
A couple discovered Ryker when they heard whimpers coming from a shed on their property and found the toddler inside tucked into a lawnmower bag, the Daily Mail reported.
Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short said on News Nation that Ryker “is doing fine now”, although he was in “a state of shock, and frightened” when he was found.
He had some bruises on his face and appeared dehydrated and fatigued when he was taken to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center for evaluation after being found.
Short added: “He was out there all by himself hearing the rain and wind, and not sure how he was going to be able to get home.
“I truly believe that he took cover in that shed from Friday evening until he was found on Sunday.”
Short added that he believed Ryker was forced to seek shelter on Friday evening when thunderstorms hit the area, explaining that mountain lions and bears inhabit the region.
The Sheriff added that Ryker appeared to be disoriented and in a state of shock after surviving two long days in the cold without food and water, having wandered from his home on the east side of Bull Lake where he had been playing outside with his dad and the family dog.
Ryker's father went back inside the house for a few minutes, during which time Ryker wandered off – prompting a frantic search of neighbouring properties.
Multiple agencies were involved in a nationwide missing person search, with drones, dog teams and more than 50 volunteers deployed to look for the toddler.
Two Montana National Guard helicopters assisted the search efforts, which were hampered by rain and low visibility.
While speaking to News Nation, Sheriff Short said Ryker had “quite a lead on them” when the missing persons report came in at 4.43pm on Friday having already been missing for two hours, but that his eyes “lit up” when he was reunited with his parents.
