Amid all the tragedy, a moment of happiness for rescue workers responding to last weekend’s landslide in Washington state.
Video from the Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team shows the moment rescue workers made a remarkable discovery: four-year-old Jacob Spiller, wandering in the vicinity of what used to be his home.
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According to a post on the team’s facebook page, they were conducting training exercises on the morning of the landslide near Oso, Washington. As such, they were able to arrive on the scene of the disaster very quickly.
When the slide hit their house Saturday, Jacob Spillers was home with his father, Billy Spillers and three siblings – 13-year-old half-brother Jovon Mangual, 5-year-old Kaylee Spillers, and 2-year-old Brooke Spillers.
His mother, Jonielle Spillers, was at her job as a nursing assistant.
The Seattle Times reports Jovon’s father, Jose Mangual, is an Army staff sergeant. He says the Spillers moved from Seattle to Oso about two years ago. Billy Spillers is a chief petty officer stationed at Naval Station Everett.
Jose Mangual told The Seattle Times Jacob told him he was on the second floor and able to get out when nobody else could.
He’s been reunited with his mother.
“Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and loved ones of all the victims and those still lost,” the Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team posted on their facebook page. “We have been flying each day since the disaster and will be back at it tomorrow to continue the rescue efforts.”
With files from the Associated Press
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