New Details Revealed in Search and Tragic Discovery of Ephraim Ram A”H

NORTHERN ISRAEL (VINnews) — New details have emerged about the tragic death of habachur Ephraim Rom a”h, as well as the extensive search that was mobilized by rescuers, racing against the clock to find him alive.

As reported in B’chadrei Charedim, dozens of volunteers and rescue team members worked tirelessly to locate him, fully aware that time was of the essence.

Tragically they did not succeed, and the bochur was found lifeless in an open field near Moshav Amirim. It is believed that Ephraim died of hypothermia, due to the severe cold that prevailed in the north last week.

The searches were conducted under extremely wintry weather, along a route that made it difficult for police officers, rescue teams, and volunteers to operate. New behind-the-scenes details of the dramatic search effort have now been revealed.

The frantic rescue operation eventually led officials to a witness who had seen a Charedi man who fit the proper description davening near Amirim. One day before the body was discovered, a blanket was found on the side of the road near Meron. The police examined security cameras, and determined that it belonged to Ephraim.

“When we receive a call like this, we immediately utilize extensive resources, as we do in any missing persons case, in order to locate the person as quickly as possible,” said Yitzhak Abuhatzira, commander of the Tzfas police department.

Shortly after the initial missing person report, Tzfas police set up a command control center, joined by various rescue units, ZAKA volunteers and Ichud Hatzoloh. Volunteers, including students from several yeshivas across the country, joined the intensive search a swell.

During the search, the police utilized a wide range of resources. “We operated a helicopter, SUV’s, special force units, canine units, and more”, added Chief Abuhatzira.

“Every day we conducted an assessment of the situation,” the station commander described. “Whenever we received information that could indicate the missing person’s whereabouts, we sent teams immediately.”

Almost three days after the search began, the police realized that time was of the essence in order to locate him alive, due to the extremely harsh and dangerous weather.

“On Thursday,” said the commander, “we brought in extra gear, because we realized that we needed to exhaust every possible resource. We determined that this was the last time to find him alive.”

Despite the extensive effort, the police were unable to locate Ephraim, until they received a dramatic lead which ultimately led to the tragic discovery. On Friday, one resident of Amirim reported that earlier in the week he saw a young man, who was davening near the Moshav.

“Immediately upon receiving the information,” the commander said, “we concentrated forces and began to scan the area intensively.” Eventually, the police located the body of the late Ephraim Ram, and on Motzei Shabbos his tragic and devastating levaya took place.

The commander noted that throughout the grueling process, the family was kept apprised and informed of any new leads and developments.