Student missing for six days emerges from woods and asks 'are you looking for me?'

Student missing for six days emerges from woods and asks 'are you looking for me?' Dilan Shaan Ashar, 22, was found safe after a huge search and rescue operation involving drones, thermal cameras, dogs and dozens of emergency workers at the University of Maryland A missing student left rescuers gobsmacked after emerging from woodland following a six-day search operation, asking: "Are you looking for me?" Dilan Shaan Ashar approached a search-and-rescue vehicle after a massive operation involving drones, thermal cameras, dogs and scores of emergency personnel. The "dehydrated and hungry" 22-year-old knocked on the driver's window, startling the crew when he enquired whether they had been out looking for him. He was swiftly given medical treatment before being reunited with his parents and older brother. Dilan, who studies at the University of Maryland in the US, disappeared in the early hours of October 2. His family had last spoken to him at around 6 pm the night before. CCTV footage captured him leaving his accommodation at approximately 2am, dressed in a black university hoodie, grey jogging bottoms and white trainers. He was spotted again roughly 30 minutes later at the Terrapin Trail Garage on the College Park campus. Dilan had left behind his mobile phone, wallet and identification, prompting serious concerns amongst police about his wellbeing. His parents visited his accommodation later that morning, only to find he was nowhere to be seen. University and county police subsequently launched a search of the campus and its surrounding areas. A drone was deployed over woodland near the parking garage the following day, with dog teams brought in to sweep the same area that evening. Nearly 50 first responders and nine dogs subsequently conducted a thorough 110-acre search operation. Officers also made repeated checks of parking garages, wooded perimeters, neighbouring parks, Lake Artemesia and the university golf course. More than 1,000 security cameras were reportedly examined as the investigation widened. Students covered the campus and surrounding areas with posters displaying Dilan's face, while his family issued an emotional plea urging the public to help bring him home. At approximately 7:30pm on Wednesday (October 7), Dilan emerged from woodland near Lot 4, opposite the university's Xfinity Centre. He approached a vehicle belonging to Howard County Search and Rescue, knocked on its window and asked: "Are you looking for me?". Emergency crews found him dehydrated, hungry, frightened and dishevelled. An ambulance was summoned, and he was transported for further medical treatment. Police believe Dilan had been moving around the woodland during his disappearance because extensive earlier searches of the area had failed to find him. There is no indication that anybody else was involved and investigators have not revealed what prompted his disappearance. They plan to speak with him more thoroughly once he is medically fit. His family said: "Dilan is safe, and our family is together again. As his parents and brother, we can't fully put into words what that means to us." The family expressed their gratitude towards university officials, detectives, and the local, state and federal agencies who played a part in the operation. They went on to say: "Dilan especially wants to thank the students who put up flyers all over campus and the community. We will never forget."