On November 6, at approximately 5 p.m., the duty officer at the Bolesławiec County Police Headquarters received reports concerning three people who had got lost in the forest.

The first call came from two residents of Wałbrzych who had got lost near Przejęsław (Osiecznica municipality). The duty officer instructed the 45- and 44-year-old men to find the nearest fire road. Their location was determined based on the number they provided. (Joint police and fire service operations ended with both missing men being found.)

A short while later, an 81-year-old woman called the emergency number; she had also lost her way in Osiecznica municipality. The elderly woman did not know which way to go.

Road-traffic police officers, remaining in telephone contact with the 81-year-old woman, drove through the forest with their siren and warning lights on. When the senior heard the patrol car’s siren, the officers were able to locate the missing woman. She returned home safe and sound.

The police appeal to mushroom pickers—remember these rules:

  • tell your loved ones about your trip to the forest; indicate the area where you will be staying and say when you plan to return
  • take reflective items or flashlights with you; they will make you more visible at night
  • keep a mobile phone with you, as it may be useful in crisis situations
  • if you take a dog, make sure it is on a leash
  • do not carry valuables with you
  • for safety reasons, do not enter the training area
  • if you take children or elderly people with you, do not let them out of your sight
  • remember distinctive features, such as the numbers on boundary posts, which will help you find your way back more quickly
  • if someone gets lost, becomes separated from the group and remains in the forest for an extended period, they should contact the nearest police unit by calling the emergency number 997 or 112.

If a missing person finds their way back on their own, they should immediately notify the police that they no longer need assistance.

In addition:

  • when going to the forest, secure your vehicle properly and lock the doors and windows; leave the car in a visible place so that it does not become an easy target for thieves
  • do not leave valuable items in the vehicle (navigation equipment, a laptop, a mobile phone, a handbag, a wallet or documents).