Wheeler praises BCSO search crews

PRIEST RIVER — The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office is praising the role of its volunteer Search and Rescue team for their rescue of an autistic teen who went missing Saturday.

In a Facebook post, Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler said Jack Hunn, 19, had run away from his home near Hoodoo Mountain in Priest River about 1:30 a.m. Hunn, who is autistic and non-verbal, had been known in the past to have run away and travel long distances quickly. He had left home wearing a hoodie, a pair of sweat pants and a pair of unlined Sorel boots.

After an initial search of the area produced no clues as to Hunn’s direction of travel, Wheeler said Bonner County Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Search and Rescue team was activated, and in short order a team of trackers were deployed. A Nixle alert also was sent out asking for the public’s help in locating the young man.

“The tracking team were successful in locating a set of boot prints in hard packed snow, which lead up to the mountains,” Wheeler said in the post. “After early 14 hours of searching, Jack was found cold, wet and hungry by the search team. Our team was able to warm Jack up and get him safely returned to his family.”

Wheeler thanked the rescue team and praised their selfless dedication and service to the county’s citizen.

“You are our unsung heroes,” he added.