Rescue helicopter locates missing Sault girl, 11, who fell down embankment

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service say they have found a missing girl, 11-year-old Ruby Kerr.

She went missing May 12, in the 1500 block of Goulais Avenue at the St. Kateri outdoor learning centre near Nettleton Lake, which she was visiting with her Grade 6 class. She was found far from the site by the OPP helicopter.

The area includes dense bush, a lake, as well as varying terrain. Around 4 p.m. May 13, a rescue helicopter touched down at the centre carrying Ruby. 

“It was an unbelievable feeling to see her waving," said her father, Ivan.

"Man, I’ll never feel like that ever again. Your heart gets to the point where you feel like you may never see her again."

He also extended thanks to the community for their support for the family since the ordeal began..

And, he thanked Sault police, OPP, Sault search and rescue and the MNRF for their help.

"Ruby was found quite a long ways from here," said police spokesperson Lincoln Louttit.

"I think approximately nine kilometres away from this site is where Ruby was found ... I believe the OPP’s helicopter pilots were the ones that spotted where Ruby was and we quickly got some people out to where Ruby was.”

Her father said that she was doing well after the ordeal.

“She’s good," Ivan said.

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"She had fallen down an embankment, torn up her legs pretty good. She went into a lake almost up to her chest. She ended up sleeping in the dirt beside a trail. She’s tough.” added Ruby's father.

 

Ruby was taken to hospital for observation, but is believed to be healthy.