McCauley Stratford is safe at home with his dad, Rhys. Photo / Cherie Taylor
McCauley Stratford is safe at home with his dad, Rhys. Photo / Cherie Taylor
McCauley Stratford has become a regular sleepwalker in the last year - but his latest adventure has astonished and horrified his parents.
The 7-year-old climbed out of his upstairs bedroom window, plunged 4m on to a gravel driveway and broke his leg. He then managed to haul himself to ahouse 100m away where he climbed into a stranger's bed - all without waking up.
Last night he was back home with his leg in a cast, much to the relief of his parents. "I burst into tears of joy," said father, Rhys. "I wouldn't wish it on anybody."
Stratford and wife Gemma went to check on McCauley - the third of their six children - at their Foxton home about 10pm Friday.
When they discovered he had vanished they called police, sparking an eight-hour search.
"It was absolutely devastating," said Stratford. "You put your boy to bed and check on him and he's not there."
At its peak, more than 50 volunteers joined a frantic 1km search area, including the fire brigade, security guards, ambulance officers, neighbours and a specialist search and rescue team.
The home became a "bombsite" as police officers hunted for clues to the mystery disappearance.
