Gwynn Dilstrom, age 7, was found uninjured on Sunday at approximately 5:00 pm after spending nearly 24 hours alone in the woods of Ross Lake National Recreation Area in the North Cascades. She had been playing in the Lower Goodell Campground when her parents realized she had wandered off. They immediately began to search for her and contacted park rangers.
When the young girl wasn’t located with the initial search, additional resources were requested. Ground crews and canine teams searched through the night. On Sunday morning, a Swinomish Police Department drone and Whidbey Naval Air Station helicopter were deployed, both with Forward Looking Infrared capabilities.
Over 120 volunteers, including specialized teams for swiftwater rescue, boating, canine, and drone use searched through dense underbrush in steep, rocky terrain as well as in and along the banks of Goodell Creek and the Skagit River. As they searched late Sunday afternoon, they heard the young girl calling out and were able to locate her.
“We are very grateful for the quick and enormous support we received during this holiday weekend," said Acting Chief Ranger Daniel Camiccia. “Searchers from around the region safely worked in very challenging terrain. Without them, there might not have been such a positive outcome."
Run as a unified command with North Cascades National Park and Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, agencies from the Pacific Northwest and around the country provided resources and logistical support, sending teams and equipment to aid in the search.
Whatcom County SAR
Bellingham Mountain Rescue
Skagit County SAR
Snohomish County SAR
Snohomish County K9
Everett Mountain Rescue
Skagit County Sheriff’s Office
Swinomish Police Department
Whatcom County Support Officers
Washington State SAR Planning Unit
Skagit County Fire
Seattle City Light Fire Brigade
Seattle City Light Volunteers
Mount Rainier National Park
US Border Patrol
Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Unit
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
