A MOTHER whose son went missing at a busy seaside resort has told the Star of her six hours of torment.
Thankfully, seven-year-old Philip Jones from Kidstone Close, Sutton, was found alive and well -- but only after a massive search including, police, mountain rescue and lifeboat teams and hundreds of volunteers.
And his mum, Loraine Dierden has recalled how she suffered every parent's worst nightmare as she waited anxiously for news of her eldest son who has severe learning difficulties and whom doctors believe may be suffering from autism.
The drama unfolded on the second day of a four-day trip to North Wales. Loraine, Philip, his 20-month-old brother, Reece and Loraine's mum and sister, plus a family friend, arrived in Towyn on Wednesday, August 23 and the following day the group went into nearby Rhyl for the day.
Loraine said: "When we got to Rhyl, I needed some shopping so I left Philip and everyone else at a paddling pool. But by the time I got back all hell had broken loose because Philip had gone missing -- he was wearing just his swimming trunks and no shoes or socks. The pool was so crowded that mum just lost sight of him. They tried to find him and then realised he just wasn't in the pool. "We called the police in and they started a search and in the end it seemed that everybody in Rhyl was involved in trying to find Philip. The police told shopowners to keep a look-out, taxi drivers were looking for him, mountain rescue became involved and two lifeboats were called out -- and that was in addition to the members of the public who were also searching.
"I phoned Philip's dad, Phil, to tell him what had happened and kept in touch with him throughout. He was going to get a taxi down to help with the search, but I told him to wait."
But as the minutes ticked by Loraine grew more and more worried; "I couldn't help thinking about Sarah Louise Payne and the little boy down South who drowned on a day out. Because of Philip's severe learning difficulties, even just crossing a road is potentially dangerous, he has no road sense whatsoever. Everytime I heard sirens, I went sick. I couldn't help but think that it might be him."
Eventually police received a call from a caravan park about a mile away from where Philip had last been seen. A couple there had spotted a youngster on the steps of a caravan and after tryng to talk to him they contacted the security guard on the site who phoned the police. Added Loraine: "When the police told me a little boy had been found I was desperate for it to be Philip, but they warned me not to build my hopes up. As the police Landrover drew up I couldn't bear to look just in case it wasn't him, so my sister ran up and looked through the window. And when the door opened and Philip jumped out, I was overjoyed.
"Unbelievably, he was none the worse for his experience and the first thing he said was: 'Can I have a pie now mum?'"
Loraine and the boys are now back home and she is looking forward to sending Philip to his new school, Mill Green in Newton-le-Willows, this term. She said: "I'd like to thank everyone involved in the search. They were all fantastic, they all pulled together and at one point, one holidaymaker even offered to travel up to St Helens to bring Phil down because he was worried sick. I'm just glad that Philip is back safe and sound."
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