LOS PADRES NAT’L FOREST : Boy Lost in Forest Walks Out on Own

A 14-year-old boy lost in Los Padres National Forest overnight walked out on his own Tuesday, authorities said.

Jason Dorava of Ventura was not injured but was very hungry when he called his mother, Ventura County Sheriff’s Lt. Joe Funchess said.

Jason was hiking with his sister and two other teen-agers Monday about 4:30 p.m. in an area north of Santa Paula when he became separated from the group. Jason’s sister reported him missing when he failed to reappear by dark, Funchess said.

Members of the Sheriff’s Department’s search-and-rescue team started looking for the boy about 9:30 p.m., and a helicopter searched the area at dawn.

But Jason walked out of the rugged area and into Steckel Park north of Santa Paula about noon Tuesday. He telephoned his mother, who then notified authorities of his location. The boy told authorities that he walked all night long.

“He just kept walking and walking and walking and eventually walked out,” Funchess said.