Around 6:20 Texas time (4:20 in California) we receive a phone call from our daredevil Ben. He tells his dad that he is climbing the side of a mountain. Dad asks where and son says I don't really know, but not where we went when you were here, but I am in the clouds. Dad then asks who is with him and son says, no one I am by myself. Dad then says you should not be doing that alone, that is dangerous, so says well no one would go with me. Dad says well it will be dark soon you better get down, son says I am okay but I will leave soon. They say goodbye. About 7:30 Texas time (5:20 in cali) son calls again, says he is stuck and can't get out. He wants to know what to do, and then says..you know dad if I say I am stuck that I really am stuck and cant get out. Dad says, I told you not to do this alone, and then says you need to call 911 right now (it will be dark within the hour). Son says okay and then hangs up. Dad tells mom what is going on. Mom panics. She didn't understand that he was hiking, she thought he was just driving around in the mountains. Mom then gains control and goes straight to the computer. She doesnt know where he is and can't call him because he is calling 911. Mom searches the computer for places he could be, dad joins in the search. They frantically call a park ranger, no one answers, dad may have to fly to cali if they can't locate someone soon, so they search more, dad finds a search and rescue website, someone answers but it is not the correct area, a very nice and concerned lady then asks where our son is and we say we don't know but he is from Rancho Cucamonga and stuck on the side of a mountain, she then gives us a number for emergency in the area and they thank her for caring enough to direct them elsewhere. Mom and dad push in the number, Kelly answers, she is very eager to assist us and check with the 911 and then says they are on a search and rescue right now, she then proceeds to inquire with the team to see who they are searching for, she comes back to the phone and says is your sons name James, Mom is at peace, because if Kelly knows his name then he reached 911. Yay! Mom says yes and Kelly says the team is on the phone with him and has been since he called. They are using the phone GPS to track him. Wow, Mom loves cell phones, dad loves cell phones. Kelly says to call back in 15 minutes for an update. Mom is ecstatic but still scared. It is now dark out there and my boy is who knows where in the mountains, stuck and alone. Mom goes from scared to upset to mad (because he knows better) and then to scared again. 20 minutes pass and Mom makes the call, Kelly says that the air team couldn't reach him so they are sending a ground team in. Mom panics, how long will this take, then she is peaceful, because they do know where he is, he will be ok. She takes down moms phone # and says she will call when they get any information. Mom prepares to wait and calls her mom to tell her what is going on. Dad tells his parents an update and then we wait. About 25 minutes or so later, dads phone rings, it is son, he is driving his car, he says he is ok and that he got to fly in a helicopter and it was cool. He said he learned a lesson to not hike alone. Mom is relieved, dad is relieved, grandparents are relieved. Mom receives a phone call from Kelly saying that son has been found and rescued and should be calling soon. Mom thanks Kelly. Son later tells grammy about the rescue, that they lowered a harness down from the helicopter and picked him up, he felt like he was in a James Bond movie, it was cool. WOW, my son! I am so happy he is safe.
1 comment:
OMGosh!!!!***!! that is scarey !!! poor Mom worrying ---and silly Ben-- wow,, glad he learned and so thankful he is safe!!!!Amazing!!!
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