Rescuers Search for Boy

A massive search-and-rescue effort continued Sunday for a 9-year-old boy who went missing from a campground in the San Bernardino National Forest.

David Gonzales was last seen about 8 a.m. Saturday at the Hanna Flat campground, a few miles from Big Bear Lake, said Cindy Beavers, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

His mother told deputies that her son had been heading to a truck parked about 50 yards from the campsite to get some cookies when he disappeared, Beavers said.

About an hour after he was discovered missing, sheriff’s deputies began a search.

Officials stopped all cars leaving the campground and about 100 volunteers scoured the surrounding countryside on foot, horseback and in all-terrain vehicles.

In addition, a dog team and two helicopters have been used in the search. Officials called the boy’s name from the helicopters, telling him to go to a clear area or to stay on the trails.

The popular campground was full over the weekend. The surrounding area is rocky and pocked with steep hills and ravines, as well as tall pine trees.

Officials are looking for a full-sized beige-colored truck with large tires and with an all-terrain vehicle and a motorcycle in the back. David’s mother said she saw the truck in the area where David was last seen, and authorities believe the driver may have seen the boy.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at (909) 387-8313.