5 Year old Missing Hannah Klamecki Found Alive
5 year old missing Hannah Klamecki was feared drowned. She had been missing for 2 days and her grandfather, 62 year old David Klamecki, had previously been found drowned in the Kankakee River.
A 5-year-old girl who was feared drowned with her grandfather on a boating trip startled searchers Friday when she emerged from the woods – naked, scratched and holding raspberries.
Crews had pulled her grandfather’s body from the Kankakee River in eastern Illinois just hours earlier.
“People were like, ‘Who’s that little girl? That can’t be her, can it?’” Kankakee Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ken McCabe said. “I went up to her (and) asked, ‘How you doing? What’s your name?’”
When authorities told Hannah Klamecki’s family – already grieving the loss of her grandfather – that she was alive, the home erupted in screaming. (FOX News)
What a tremendous story of survival from Hannah Klamecki. This was truly a miracle that she survived the ordeal.
Authorities believe the river current swept the girl away from a small island where she and her grandfather had stopped to swim and to the shore of the mainland where she eventually was found.
She told searchers she was wearing floats on her arms and pulled herself from the water with a branch.
“That’s a tough little girl, I tell you,” McCabe said.
Hannah said she had taken off her bathing suit because it was muddy and itchy, friends of the family said.
Lost For 2 Days, Girl Home Safe
Five-year-old Hannah Klamecki clutched her parents after spending two days alone in the woods. Even before searchers could locate her, she found them.
“I can’t tell you how excited and enthused I was to see that,” said Dave Horn, Momence, Ill., fire chief. “So I finally got on the air and screamed. I said, ‘Boys she’s alive. She’s alive.’”
What a trooper she is. I’m sorry for the loss of her Grandfather, but so happy that she is safe and with her family tonight.
Comment by bc | June 16, 2007
An incredible outcome!
Comment by utah | June 17, 2007
Great story of a bright, resourceful child! Funny…I was just picking black raspberries yesterday in my field and thought it was really early to be eating them this year. Glad they were available for this little one.
Still, really sad about the grandfather, but the little girl coming home is heartwarming.
Brenda
Comment by Brenda | June 18, 2007
It was great to hear that Hannah was found alive but sad to learn her grandfather died.
Thank God for her safe return and May God Bless her and her family
Don
Comment by Don | June 20, 2007
Wow what a trooper!
Comment by janelle | January 26, 2009