The relatives of a young Anishinaabe who has been missing in the forest for 33 days breathe a long sigh of relief following he was found safe and sound Tuesday evening in the forest, near Lake Simon, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
“I never gave up hope of finding him alive. I am so moved to be able to be with him today, ”said Micheline Poucachiche in a brief telephone interview.
Calls for help from his son Percy Poucachiche alerted two fishermen who were teasing fish at Lake Simon, around 8:30 p.m. Hearing the cries coming from the forest, Georgie Poucachiche immediately thought of his cousin, missing since July 21, he told the Journal.
Within minutes, the authorities were mobilized. Jerry Hunter, along with a friend, gave the police a hand with his boat which was near the body of water.
“We were walking in the dark. When we approached him and he said his name was Percy, we mightn’t believe it. What a surprise! He boarded the boat and I took him in my arms to console him. He was crying and asking what date and what year it was, ”detailed Mr. Hunter.
Photo courtesy, Jerry Hunter
The 26-year-old man was transported to a hospital center, but he has already been discharged from the hospital.
The news spread like wildfire in the small village, located regarding thirty kilometers from Val-d’Or. The young man’s mother and several relatives are landed without delay on the shore of the lake.
“I went to see him directly in the ambulance. We started crying with joy”, launched Micheline Poucachiche.
“He had a big smile, he is happy. He was waving goodbye to everyone who was there for him. It was moving,” added her cousin Rosanna Poucachiche.
Weak and emaciated, the resident of Louvicourt was transported to a hospital center. Miraculously, he had no serious injuries.
Photo courtesy of the SQ
Percy Poucachiche
His mother still didn’t know yesterday how he got lost for more than a month. He had just been discharged from the hospital in the followingnoon and he was to be met by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).
He survived in the forest by eating blueberries and raspberries as well as drinking lake water, Ms.me Poucachiche.
Since his disappearance last month, the community of Lac-Simon has spared no effort to find him. The SQ also conducted research for a week, according to chief Adrienne Jérôme.
“Afterwards, there was a mobilization [des citoyens] to continue combing all corners of the forest in search of clues. People came from Val-d’Or and members of the Cree community distributed bottles of water. We are so proud of him for not having given up”, she dropped.
