1. Headline
  1. Headline
BREAKING: Tamerlan Tsarnaev, suspect killed by FBI responsible for 2011 triple homicide: sources

Video: Maze-d and confused mom dials 911

msnbc.com
updated 10/12/2011 1:26:12 PM ET 2011-10-12T17:26:12

A Massachusetts family got the Halloween scare of a lifetime by getting lost inside a dark and creepy Salem-area corn maze and had to call 911 for rescue.

  1. Stories from
    1. Jose Canseco Is a Suspect in a Sexual Assault Case: Police
    2. Angelina Jolie Takes Action Vs. Cancer - How You Can Too!
    3. Catherine Giudici Debuts New Hair for DWTS Finale; 'Sean Loves It!'
    4. Oh Bébé! What Did Kim Kardashian Pick Up in Paris?
    5. Emma Stone: My Mom's Cancer Diagnosis 'Was Terrifying'

Danvers police say they got a call of distress from a mother of two about 6:32 p.m. Monday. The woman alerted the 911 operator of their situation in the Connors Farm in Danvers, a short distance from Salem.

A voice recording of the 911 call was made available to the media on Wednesday. The exchange:

Woman: "Hi, I just called. I'm still stuck at Connors Farms. I don't see anybody. I am really scared. It's really dark and we've got a 3-week-old baby with us."

Dispatcher: "Just relax. Calm down. Your husband is with you right?"

Woman: "Yes, but my baby?"

Dispatcher: "OK. I understand and the police officer is on the way."

Woman: "We thought this would be fun. Instead it's a nightmare. I don't know what made us do this. It was daytime when we came in. And I never take my daughter out. This is the first time. Never again."

The family's harrowing journey was first reported by The Danvers Herald and picked up nationwide.

Farm owner Bob Connors said Wednesday his maze on seven acres was created so that people would get lost in its towering stalks. The maze, in the shape of a headless horseman with the words "Salem Village" and "Danvers, Ma." carved out, can take up to an hour to navigate, Connors told msnbc.com.

Connors said it was a busy day and he left the farm and his farm manager about 6:20 p.m. Monday, only to return a short time later. Connors said he received a phone call from a friend who told him about police squad cars at the family farm at 30 Valley Road.

“People like to take their time and we don’t like to rush people out of the maze," Connors said. "We like to give people their money’s worth."

He said a Danvers police with a tracking dog quickly plunged into the depths of the maze with a farm manager to search for the disoriented dad, mom and two young kids.

Within a minute or so upon arrival, the police officer located the family. The family didn't realize they had almost made their way out; they were just 25 feet from the street, Connors said.

"Usually we see smiles coming out of the maze," he said. "I could understand the family's  concern, because they had a little one with them. And I’m sure they won’t be the last family who gets lost in there.”

Said Connors: "I have a funny feeling it's going to be a real busy season."

© 2013 msnbc.com Reprints

Discuss:

Discussion comments

,

More on TODAY.com

New
  1. Operation BBQ Relief brings hope and hot meals to Okla. 

    5/22/2013 8:02:17 PM +00:00 2013-05-22T20:02:17
None
  1. Mom, infant among tornado victims identified

    A mother who sought shelter in a 7-Eleven that collapsed under the force of tornado winds, killing both her and her four-month-old son, are among the victims whose names were released by Oklahoma's chief medical examiner Wednesday.

    5/22/2013 6:22:44 PM +00:00 2013-05-22T18:22:44
  2. 24 dead, 13,000 homes wrecked, $2B in damage
None
  1. Craig Sjodin / ABC

    Kellie Pickler talks 'Idol' loss, 'DWTS' win

    5/22/2013 3:03:13 PM +00:00 2013-05-22T15:03:13
None
  1. Pool / REUTERS

    Arias jury to judge: What if we can’t reach a decision?

    5/22/2013 7:37:28 PM +00:00 2013-05-22T19:37:28
None
  1. Toby Keith tours his devastated hometown

    The country star grew up in Moore, Okla., and hurried home to see what had happened, and how he could help.

    5/22/2013 3:43:25 PM +00:00 2013-05-22T15:43:25
  2. ‘Sacred ground’: Matt, first responders tour destroyed school
  3. Victim separated from spouse: ‘The house totally disappeared’
  4. TODAY