Child survives night in forest outside Carbonado; father dies
Published 9:28 pm Friday, November 19, 2010
The rugged Evans Creek Off Road Vehicle Park was the scene of a rescue operation the morning of Nov. 16, when crews discovered a 4-year-old boy in critical condition. His 44-year-old father, found nearby, was pronounced dead at the site.
A Pierce County Search and Rescue team, assisted by East Pierce Fire and Rescue, quickly treated and transported the boy to Wilkeson Elementary School. He was met by a medical helicopter that whisked the boy away to Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital and Health Care Center.
The boy was identified as Timothy Layton and the father as John Layton, both of the Puyallup area.
According to reports by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, the first sign of trouble came at approximately 8 p.m. Nov. 15, when the boy’s mother called 911. She said her husband and son were late arriving home, but noted it was not unusual for them to be overdue from an outing. She agreed to call again the following morning if the pair had not returned, according to Sgt. Jerry Bates, a sheriff’s office spokesman.
It also was learned John Layton had sent a text message to a friend about 9 p.m. Nov. 15, stating his truck had rolled over and he needed help pulling it out. The friend was unable to assist and, by return text, suggested Layton call 911.
Authorities learned of the text message the morning of the 16th and dispatched rescue crews to the scene. They found the father and son about 100 yards from the Ford F-250 pickup, which had apparently rolled down a steep, narrow trail, according to an East Pierce news release.
