Mystery as missing boy, 8, is found in sewer a WEEK after vanishing from his parents’ front yard

A CHILD who had been missing for a week was bizarrely discovered in a sewer after a passerby heard a faint noise coming from the ground. Joe, eight, vanished from his parents’ front yard in the city of Oldenburg, Germany, on June 17 and a huge search was launched across the country. NewsflashJoe, eight, was found in a sewer a week after vanishing[/caption] NewsflashThe youngster was discovered after a passerby heard a noise coming from the ground[/caption] But the youngster was nowhere to be found as emergency services and his loved ones hunted around the clock. In the early hours of June 25 – more than a week after Joe went missing – a passerby called cops after hearing a “faint whimpering sound” coming from a sewer. Rescue crews dashed to the scene, some 20m from the family home in the Donnerschwee district. To their shock, they found the child in the sewer after lifting the manhole cover and a firefighter was winched down to pull him out. Read more world news MALL OF DEATH Dozens feared dead as Russian missile hits shopping centre with civilians FATAL MIX-UP Jill Dando 'shot by MISTAKE by hitman sent to kill another blonde BBC star' An eyewitness told local media: “I saw how the boy was carefully pulled out of the hole, a helper calmed him down. “I didn’t know it was Joe. He looked unharmed. I can’t believe he was in there and alive!” And an unnamed neighbour added: “A rescuer calmed the child down. He looked unharmed. “It was very fortunate that he was heard – a lot of cars pass through here and the noise level is higher there.” Most read in The Sun SCREEN SWIPE Watch the moment Phil Foden's furious WAG confronts him after looking at phone 'different' Love Island fans all have some complaint about Gemma after watching Unseen Bits double trouble Kerry Katona glams up with lookalike daughter and fans all say same thing CIAO BELLA Amanda Holden looks incredible in bikini during break from filming in Italy absent stace Stacey Solomon sparks concern by going offline after Joe Swash pic with blonde DADDY'S GIRL Gemma Owen FINALLY name drops her dad Michael on Love Island Joe was rushed to hospital, where he is now recovering from his ordeal. Police spokesman Stephan Klatte said: “The boy was hypothermic, but responsive. “He has no major injuries, there was no danger to his life.” Police are still investigating how it was possible for Joe, who reportedly suffers from a slight mental development disorder, to survive for so long down the storm drain. Klatte added: “Our job is to find out how Joe got into the sewer hole.” Retired emergency doctor Peter Sefrin, 81, told local media: “At these temperatures, the heat is an important factor. “But in the canal, it is naturally cooler. Humans can survive a good three days without water and food. That’s no problem.” He added: “We know that people who were buried survived in caves from dripping condensation water. Maybe that was the case here too.” Police are examining the storm drain sewer system in the area in a bid to determine how the boy survived and how he became stuck in there. Police chief Johann Kuehme said search efforts had included local hunting associations as well as other privately organised search parties Read More on The Sun STYLE GUIDE Fashion pro shares the 3 items to ban from your wardrobe to look slimmer THAT'S LIFE Drivers warned common bad driving habit could now get them LIFE in prison They said: “Thanks to a tip from the public, we were able to find Joe in a sewer system. “The most important thing is that he is alive and was immediately taken to a hospital where he is in good hands. We can all breathe a sigh of relief.” NewsflashIt’s unclear how the child ended up in the sewer[/caption] NewsflashA firefighter climbed down to rescue Joe from the sewer[/caption] NewsflashThe youngster is now recovering in hospital[/caption]