A 13-year-old boy with special needs is safe after wandering away from his home during a severe North Carolina snowstorm, due to the efforts of a police K-9.
The Gastonia Police Department reported that the boy left his home on Saturday, January 31, without proper clothing, placing him at serious risk amid dangerously cold temperatures and heavy snowfall.
Authorities from the Gastonia Police Department, Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, and Gastonia Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) quickly coordinated a search effort.
Officers established a secure perimeter around the boy’s neighborhood while a K-9 officer named Bo was given a “scent article”, an item of the boy’s clothing, to track his whereabouts.
Bo, demonstrating an acute sense of smell even in harsh conditions, guided the search team through snow-covered terrain. Meanwhile, the agencies monitored the perimeter, hoping the boy might wander into it.
Their efforts paid off when the teen entered the secured area and was spotted by GEMS personnel. He was rescued shortly thereafter and was taken to safety, cold but unharmed.
“This successful outcome was made possible by quick action, strong teamwork, and the dedication of everyone involved, especially a snowy-snouted K-9 Bo who performed well in the midst of severe weather,” the Gastonia Police Department wrote on Facebook.
The snowstorm itself caused widespread hazards across Gastonia. Police reported responding to 32 vehicle crashes on the same day, with over 50 vehicles stranded due to icy road conditions.
The department emphasised the dangers of driving in the storm, highlighting a near-tragic incident where a truck driver narrowly escaped injury after jumping from a semi-truck moments before it was hit by a train.
Temperatures remained below freezing throughout the night, and several inches of snow fell atop prior accumulations from earlier in the week.
Despite these dangerous conditions, coordinated efforts between multiple agencies and Bo’s tracking skills ensured a safe outcome for the boy.
The incident serves as a reminder of the critical role first responders and K-9 units play in emergency situations and underscores the importance of avoiding travel during severe winter weather.
