Mum thanks officers after Northumberland boy, 10, rescued from the Cheviots thanks to GPS technology

A Northumberland mum has hailed the efforts of the team who brought her son to safety – with a helping a hand from technology – after getting lost in the Cheviots.
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Ten-year-old Hayden and dad Nick, went hiking in one of their favourite spots in the half-term holidays. But quite literally things took a wrong turn when the pair got separated.

Thankfully, Hayden had his dad's phone and was able to contact mum, Kelly, who was at home.

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Kelly asked Hayden to go back up the hill to see if he could spot his dad or the friend they were also with, but to no avail.

A 10-year-old boy was brought to safety – with a helping a hand from technology – after getting lost on the Cheviots.A 10-year-old boy was brought to safety – with a helping a hand from technology – after getting lost on the Cheviots.
A 10-year-old boy was brought to safety – with a helping a hand from technology – after getting lost on the Cheviots.

And with a depleting battery and limited phone signal, the situation started to become one of real concern.

A call was then made to Northumbria Police, explaining that Hayden was lost and by himself.

Specialist officers from the Firearms Support Unit were quickly able to use an application called Airbox to track Hayden’s phone using its GPS signal.

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A link was sent to the phone for Hayden to accept but with the limited signal, it proved difficult to get through. After some time the link finally pinged on the phone but only for a matter of seconds.

Ten-year-old Hayden was brought to safety – with a helping a hand from technology – after getting lost in the Cheviots.Ten-year-old Hayden was brought to safety – with a helping a hand from technology – after getting lost in the Cheviots.
Ten-year-old Hayden was brought to safety – with a helping a hand from technology – after getting lost in the Cheviots.

However, this was enough for officers to pinpoint Hayden’s location and the coordinates were shared with mountain rescue and the police helicopter who managed to bring him to safety.

Kelly said: "I can't thank everyone involved enough. It was just so lucky Hayden had his dad's phone as things could have been a lot worse.

"It's the worst feeling in the world not being able to help knowing your son is distressed and potentially in danger.

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"The police were brilliant and I am so grateful for what they did.

An application called Airbox was used to track Hayden’s phone using its GPS signal.An application called Airbox was used to track Hayden’s phone using its GPS signal.
An application called Airbox was used to track Hayden’s phone using its GPS signal.

"Hayden was of course upset by the incident but I think it took the edge off a bit that he got to go in the police helicopter and ride in a police car. The officers were so lovely with him.

"We have now bought him some walkie-talkies in the hope that when he gets his confidence back, he might go hiking with his dad again soon."

Firearms Support Unit Inspector, Graeme Homewood, believes the Airbox system was crucial in bringing Hayden to safety and has praised the officers involved and the mountain rescue for their quick-thinking actions that day.

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Insp Homewood said: "We've had the equipment for around two years and it really has been a game changer for us. It allows us as a team to pinpoint the location of our cars and crews and plan effectively our tactical responses to situations like this.

Insp Graeme Homewood.Insp Graeme Homewood.
Insp Graeme Homewood.

"It's all about connectivity and being able to communicate effectively and when you get a visual picture of things that are happening on the ground and you can share that between specialist resources, it does bring game-changing technology and capability to the Force."

Iain Nixon, representing Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team, said: “We were delighted that we were able to help reunite Hayden with his parents."

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