(Dacula, Georgia) Gwinnett County Police are crediting a coordinated effort between the Aviation Unit, Uniform Patrol, and 911 Dispatch in rescuing a family of three who was lost for several hours inside Harbins Park in Dacula. The 911 call was made by a woman around 3:30 p.m. yesterday. She reported that she was lost inside the park with her four year old daughter and seven year old son. She also said that she had been lost in the park since 1 p.m. The woman did not have food, water, or the necessary items to care for children for an extended period of time. Uniform patrol officers arrived at the scene within several minutes. Shortly after 4 p.m., the aviation unit arrived and began searching the park.

During the search, the woman was able to maintain contact with dispatchers and relay when she could hear the helicopter overhead. This coordination aided the pilots in pinpointing her location through the thick tree canopy. Within ten minutes of searching, the family of three was located approximately 200 yards off the main power line easement that borders the park. The pilots were able to give hand signals to direct the woman back towards uniform patrol officers who were close by on a trail.

Immediately after being located, the woman’s cell phone battery died. Harbins Park is a 1900 acre park and the positive outcome of this rescue was a direct reflection of the teamwork and training that our pilots, uniform officers, and dispatchers go through on a regular basis. We strongly urge all residents to preplan their park outings by preparing with adequate water, food, maps, fully charged cell phones, and first aid kits.