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Richard Piatt ReportingAnother lost child, gone for two days, eventually found safe and sound: It's a familiar story, but from 1986. Today that eight-year old boy is all grown up, but he and his parents are reliving the emotions the Hawkins family is feeling today.
All the agony, all the frustration, all the relief flooded back for the Adams family the last five days. They remember what happened 19 years ago with unique clarity.
Dax Adams loves to ride his off-road motorcycle. It's a hobby he started as a kid. In fact, 19 years ago his dirt bike took him on the adventure of his life when he became lost for two days in an area called 'The Knolls' in Tooele County.
In November, 1986 eight-year old Dax was riding with his family when he left the group, thinking he could find his way back. Today, at age 27, he still remembers what being lost was like.
Dax Adams, Rescued in 1986: "A lot of loneliness and wondering if I was going to be found or not. Didn't know what to do; I was still pretty young."
Dax's ordeal played out a lot like the Hawkins family's has: Volunteers looking, not many clues, parents sick with worry. What happened to them was a long time ago, but every missing child story brings it all back.
Chris Adams, Mother: "It just makes my heart hurt. All the feelings and knowing what that mother's going through."
Linc Adams, Father: "Floods back into your mind, the agony and the frustration you felt during that period of time."
After two cold nights and days, Chopper 5 found Dax's bike--a rescue helicopter found him moments later. Of all the memories of that time, being reunited with his parents sticks out in Dax's mind.
Dax Adams, Rescued in 1986: "I got off the helicopter and ran toward my parents, and they ran toward me. It was one of the happiest moments of my life."
It was also memorable rescue for the helicopter pilot who found Dax, now piloting Marine One for the President. He recently told the family he has no idea what prompted him to fly out of the search area that day, but he found Dax and not a day goes by that he doesn't think about it.
