Teen Found Alive More Than a Week Into Search

Police said McCormick had last been seen about noon Sept. 1 leaving Bowie State in his car, described earlier as blue. He was to go to College Park to pick up his girlfriend at the University of Maryland.

When he failed to meet her or return calls, she called his parents, who live in the Laurel area. They reported him missing the next day.

A helicopter searched the area around Bowie State and his likely route to College Park. Crews had searched from the ground as well, and divers checked bodies of water.

No sign of him turned up until he was spotted yesterday at the edge of federal property yesterday by women in a car. One told Channel 4 WRC TV that he "looked horrible." County rescuers learned that the injured man was the missing student, Brady said. He said the immediate area had not been previously searched by firefighters.

After days of worry and concern, relatives and friends were filled with elation. They had planned a vigil for last night at Laurel High School, McCormick's alma mater. As friends gathered the word arrived.

"It's amazing," said Emily Springer, 17, who had known McCormick since third grade. "Only God could do this. He's a strong person. He has a will to live."

Staff writers Martin Weil and Clarence Williams contributed to this report.