Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
Update: May 9th, 2023 9:09 am:
Nante Niemi was found safely yesterday in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, after search and rescue operation began on Sunday. The boy was found around 1:30 pm central standard time, by search responders approximately 2 miles from the family’s campsite. Niemi had taken shelter under a log to get out of the elements. He has been safely returned to his family, in good health and high spirits. The Michigan State Police would like to thank the many volunteers and responders who came to the park to search for Niemi.
Update: May 8th, 2023 3:23 pm
Nante Niemi has been found safe in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. According to a facebook post from the Hurley School District, a photo posted to the page, shows Niemi sitting atop the shoulders of a search and rescue responder. He had been missing since Saturday afternoon while camping with his family.
More than 150 personnel, from 26 separate agencies were involved in the search efforts for the 8 year old boy. Teams traveled over rough terrain, full of dense forest, standing water, and patches of snow.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Rangers train for such scenarios throughout the year. However tough terrain can make it difficult for teams. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park emphasizes enjoying the outdoors, and recreating safely and responsibly.
We hope to update you with more details on Niemi’s safe return to his family, when more information is released to the public by the Michigan State Police.
Update:
More than 150 search and rescue personnel are on the ground and in the air searching for a missing boy in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness state park. Teams consist of 26 separate agencies, including K-9 units, and a helicopter in the sky. First responders are combining through an approximate 40 square mile area around the Presque Isle area of the park. Search and rescue teams are in search of 8 year old, Nante Niemi.
He is approximately four foot 2 inches, weighing 70 to 80 pounds. He was last seen Saturday afternoon, around 1 pm, collecting firewood for the family’s campsite. Niemi is wearing a white sweatshirt, grey sweat pants, and black boots. He has blond hair and brown eyes.
Conditions limiting search teams include remote, hilly terrain full of dense pine forest, and standing water in many areas. Several seasonal roads are still impassible in the park this time of the year.
MSP thanks residents for their offer to assist, but ask that the public refrain from entering the park, so as to not interfere with search teams.
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An eight year old boy is missing in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Yesterday Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin search and rescue agencies began coordinating search efforts for the boy. The boy’s family last saw him around 1pm on Saturday, when he returned to the nearby campsite, while the family was out collecting firewood and fishing.
K-9 Units, aviation teams, and the u.s Coast guard are coordinating with other search teams in the area. Volunteers for the search have been asked to stay away from the park at this time in order to not disrupt official search and rescue teams. Officials have temporarily closed the Presque Isle area of the park to all visitors, until further notice. Please refrain from visiting the park while the Search and Rescue teams are in the area. We hope to provide an update at a late time.
