CSP confirms child missing at Great Sand Dunes found

A child reported missing in the Great Sand Dunes National Park was found Monday morning.

7 year old Caleb Lund was hiking on the dunes with his family Sunday afternoon when he got separated from the group. Lund’s family says he was wearing a jacket but was barefoot when he went missing.

Park Rangers and their families, along with the Alamosa County Sheriff’s Department and Alamosa County Search and rescue volunteers, began search operations Sunday night. Search operations expanded Monday morning to include aircraft.

Capt. George Dingfelder tells KRDO Trooper Lance Sanchez started his shift at 6 a.m. and decided to see if he could help in the search.

Around 7am, the trooper spotted a child who matched Lund’s description walking across the grasslands toward the highway, about four miles from where he was last seen. Lund was taken to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

“We are relieved at the successful outcome of this search, and that Caleb is recovering,” said Lisa Carrico, Superintendent at Great Sand Dunes. “We greatly appreciate the coordinated teamwork of the Alamosa County Sheriff’s Department, Colorado State Patrol, Alamosa Search and Rescue, and Great Sand Dunes staff and volunteers.”