Maybe he thought it would be cosier beneath his bed rather than in it. Or perhaps five-year-old Alex Olver simply fancied a change.

Whatever the reason, the youngster was soon curled up under a blanket and fast asleep, out of sight and oblivious to the commotion developing around the family home.



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Alex Olver: Curled up and went to sleep blissfully unaware of the chaos he had caused

Police, neighbours and his family were all searching for Alex after his mother Claire discovered he was not in his bed. A police helicopter circled overhead and a local football team joined the hunt.

His bedroom was searched by 11 different people - but not one of them saw the boy sleeping under the bed. In fact, it was a sniffer dog which finally unearthed him.

Miss Olver of Saltash, Cornwall, said: "I called for Alex, to get him ready for bed, but then realised he was not with the rest of the family.

"A few of us searched the house then moved outside to the street, which I ran along calling his name. By this stage, I was feeling frantic and lots of the neighbours were coming outside to see what was the matter.

"I called the police and a squad car arrived very quickly. They also searched the house. Word must have travelled very fast and soon there were scores of people outside all asking how they could help."

Miss Olver - who said her son "sleeps like a log" - said seven helpers and four police officers had turned the house upside down looking for Alex.

But it was two hours before the 35-yearold school dinner lady and her former partner Shaun Snell saw their son again.

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Alex Olver gets a cuddle from his relieved mum Claire

Miss Olver said: "The dog handler went upstairs. I then heard him shout, 'Look what I found!' and he came downstairs with Alex asleep across his chest. We woke him up and when we told him what had happened, he said he wanted to see the police helicopter.

"He's very small and when he curls up with a blanket over him, he's almost impossible to see."

Miss Olver, who also has twins Joseph and Lucy, six, Adam, 13, and Leah, 17, added: "I'm so grateful to everyone who helped. The support was overwhelming and we will never forget it."

Sergeant Stu Hannaford of Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Local residents dropped everything to help the family with their problem."

But one resident said he hoped the boy would be told off for his actions.


Comment: Yeah, it is Alex who should be held responsible for his extremely irresponsible action - sleeping! What a 'nice' person, this resident.


"Many of us had begun to fear the worst, especially in the light of Madeleine McCann," he said. "It was a huge relief he was found safe and well, but I hope that his parents sit him down and explain what a fuss he caused."