10-25-2011, 12:38 PM
WTVR
More than a thousand potential volunteers assembled early Tuesday morning to join the search for young Robbie Wood, missing now for almost 48 hours. Late Monday evening the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office had sent notice that they would finally accept citizen volunteers.
The Hanover County Sheriff’s Office fielded thousands of calls from citizens interested in helping with the search. Today so many people gathered to help--and just kept coming--with the operations that the Hanover Sheriff's Office said they already have enough volunteers.
Volunteers were told to meet at the main parking area at 9:00 a.m. at King’s Dominion. It was a packed house, with long lines that usually form at the theme park, this time for a different occasion.
Police had asked that volunteers bring photo identification and emphasized that not all volunteers might be deployed. Potential volunteers would be turned away if they do not meet the required criteria.
People came from as far away as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. People took off work to help search.
“I have two autistic nephews so it hit close to home for us,” said Lawrence Brooks. “People definitely care.”
Once checked in and credentialed, volunteers received a briefing on the operations. They were then bussed over to the search zone and paired up with an experienced rescue worker.
The search for Robbie began early evening Sunday over land, air and water. Only emergency professionals and trained volunteers were deployed in the first 30 hours.
Much of the terrain that stretches through the 80-acre North Anna Battlefield Park is considered difficult, with ravines, cliffs and woods that could challenge searchers.
“Extremely thick woods,” Hanover Fire Chief Willie Jones said, urging searchers to be cautious.
Police also said that in the initial hours it was important that efforts stay coordinated to prevent accidently disturbing search trails and confusing search dogs.
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More than a thousand potential volunteers assembled early Tuesday morning to join the search for young Robbie Wood, missing now for almost 48 hours. Late Monday evening the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office had sent notice that they would finally accept citizen volunteers.
The Hanover County Sheriff’s Office fielded thousands of calls from citizens interested in helping with the search. Today so many people gathered to help--and just kept coming--with the operations that the Hanover Sheriff's Office said they already have enough volunteers.
Volunteers were told to meet at the main parking area at 9:00 a.m. at King’s Dominion. It was a packed house, with long lines that usually form at the theme park, this time for a different occasion.
Police had asked that volunteers bring photo identification and emphasized that not all volunteers might be deployed. Potential volunteers would be turned away if they do not meet the required criteria.
People came from as far away as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. People took off work to help search.
“I have two autistic nephews so it hit close to home for us,” said Lawrence Brooks. “People definitely care.”
Once checked in and credentialed, volunteers received a briefing on the operations. They were then bussed over to the search zone and paired up with an experienced rescue worker.
The search for Robbie began early evening Sunday over land, air and water. Only emergency professionals and trained volunteers were deployed in the first 30 hours.
Much of the terrain that stretches through the 80-acre North Anna Battlefield Park is considered difficult, with ravines, cliffs and woods that could challenge searchers.
“Extremely thick woods,” Hanover Fire Chief Willie Jones said, urging searchers to be cautious.
Police also said that in the initial hours it was important that efforts stay coordinated to prevent accidently disturbing search trails and confusing search dogs.