Colorado police and community rally to rescue missing teen from storm drain
The boy was stuck behind a storm drain, police said. They did not share how he got stuck. (Aurora Police Department)
A 15-year-old Colorado boy with a developmental disability is back home safe after being found trapped in a storm drain, thanks to a remarkable rescue effort by local law enforcement and the Aurora community.
Donnel "Tupac" Tolliver was reported missing around 6:50 p.m. on Sunday, setting off an intense search by multiple agencies and local residents. The search, which lasted over 18 hours, concluded on Monday when authorities located Tolliver trapped behind a steel grate in a large storm culvert.
How was the missing teen found?
The Aurora Police Department, along with other Colorado law enforcement agencies, worked together to search for Tolliver, whose disappearance sparked concern throughout the community. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and local residents joined forces to rally the troops, as officials described it. Their collective effort paid off when Tolliver was discovered at around 12:30 p.m. on Monday.
Bodycam footage captured the dramatic moment police found Tolliver standing in the storm drain, visibly thirsty and tired. In the video, officers can be heard asking, "Are you thirsty, buddy? I got a protein bar for you."
The rescue operation
To free Tolliver, authorities used bolt cutters to unlock the steel grate trapping him in the storm culvert. Firefighters were also on the scene to assist with the safe extraction of the teen, who was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation.
First responders used bolt cutters to safely remove the teen from the storm drain. (Aurora Police Department)
"This was truly a team effort, and we appreciate everyone who played a vital role in safely locating the child," the Aurora Police Department wrote in a social media post. They also thanked the local residents who joined the search.
Community response to the rescue
Residents took to social media to commend the first responders, praising their dedication and compassion. One person wrote, "Best thing I’ve seen all day, wonderful job," while another commented, "Incidents like this, the public rarely sees about the APD and law enforcement in general."
Tolliver's safe return is a heartwarming outcome of a challenging situation, showcasing the power of community involvement and coordinated rescue efforts.