17-year-old Uxbridge boy safe after spending the night in the woods

A missing 17-year-old Uxbridge youth was located following an extensive search in extreme cold temperatures last night by North Durham officers and a K-9 team.

On Tuesday February 22, 2011 at approximately 10 p.m. officers from North Division responded to the residence of a 17-year-old resident of Uxbridge Township and were met by the parents of the youth, who reported their son had ventured into the outdoors following a verbal disagreement with his parents.

The youth left the residence ill-prepared for the -15C temperatures outdoors and had not returned to his home prior to police contact. He had brought a tent and planned to sleep the night, but did not have the appropriate gear to weather the extreme conditions.

North Durham officers requested the assistance of the York Regional Police Service Air2 helicopter to assist with the search of the missing teen (Air1 was down for maintenance). DRPS K-9, along with on-duty members of DPRS Public Order Unit were enlisted to assist with the search.

Following a thirty minute track with K-9 and North Division officers, the youth was located in a forested area in close proximity to his residence and returned home. The youth was uninjured and did not require medical assistance. YRPS Air2 was cancelled just prior to its arrival by investigating officers.