On Friday night two small boys were safely back with their families, after going missing for 20 hours in the Red River Gorge. Once the cousins were found, it was an emotional reunion at Koomer Ridge Campground.
“I never want to let him go, I missed him,” said Julia Esposito as she hugged her five-year old son, Michael.
Michael is back in his mother’s arms, after he and his seven-year old cousin, Adrian Ross, had an adventure of a lifetime.
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“What was the best part of your adventure?” asked Julia, while she and Michael were interviewed by Cincinnati’s FOX19. “Sleeping haha,” said Michael. “Under a tree.”
The two young cousins were forced to spend the night in the wilderness of the Red River Gorge, all alone, after they went missing while playing a game of hide and seek Thursday evening.
“We saw everything. I saw the cliff edge,” said Michael.
While Julia got the kids version of a night in the woods, it was a different story as hundreds of rescuers poured in looking for the kids in the cliff ridden, dangerous terrain.
“Just as I was walking up the drain, I would continue yelling their names,” said Kelly Moore with the Daniel Boone National Forest.
As rescuers searched and scoured the rough terrain, the childrens’ parents said it was a race against the clock to find the boys before the rain started.
“So I just kept praying find them before the rain, and 30 minutes before the rain that’s when they were found. So it’s just like God was with them the whole time,” said Julia.
Answered prayers, in the form of rescuers, who found the kids far away from the campsite.
“I was just asking them if they were okay, if they were hurt. And Michael was saying, no we are alright,” said Moore.
Despite a few cuts and bruises, the boys were fine and just a little hungry. When asked what they had to eat while they were missing, Michael said “sticks.” Then Michael said the sticks tasted good.
Now with full tummies, and in safe hands, the family is finishing up their camping trip forever grateful.
“Tell all the rescuers thank you,” said Julia. “Thank you,” added Michael.
The families plan to spend the next two days at the Red River Gorge, but are staying on Friday night.
