A 10 year old boy was successfully rescued in Shenandoah National Park after responding to the calls of four National Park Service searchers on Monday, August 4. The four rescuers who found the 10 year old boy ,Arvind Kumar, are employees of National Capital Parks – East- Greenbelt Park. Three of the four, Kevin F.Barry, Ralph Hill and Joseph Richards work at Greenbelt Park.
Lavell Merrit is an interpretive ranger. All four are trained in both Search and Rescue and wildland fire techniques. The search involved as many as 150 personnel including the National Park Service, Appalachian Search and Rescue Conference, Top of Virginia Search and Rescue, Shenandoah National Park Association, Madison and Greene County Sheriff’s Department, Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association, Dogs East Arvind Kumar, of New Jersey, was visiting Shenandoah Park for the weekend with his family and was enjoying a final hike along the Dark Hollow Falls trail before going home. His parents noticed him missing around 10 a.m.. During the almost 33 hours that the boy was missing, he wandered about, slept, found shelter under a rock overhang and lost both his sneakers and glasses.
When Kumar was found in the Rose River drainage he was cold, hungry, appeared to be dehydrated and had cuts and scrapes. But, otherwise, he was in good condition after being rescued Monday evening. He was transported to the University of Virginia Medical Center after being re-united with his family.
