Lost Camera Reappears After 15 Years From Duck Pond
Magnetic Fishermen’s Find Reunites Teens with Cherished Memories
A digital camera, missing for fifteen years, has resurfaced in a surprising location: a duck pond. The device, lost during a confirmation trip, was discovered by magnetic fishermen, leading to an unexpected reunion with its teenage owners.
An Unbelievable Catch
Stefan Runersten, 41, and his 11-year-old son, Lukas Runersten, were out magnetic fishing in Örkelljunga, Sweden, when they made a remarkable find. Among their haul were two bags filled with jewelry, watches, and coins, along with a camera bag containing an old Sony camera and its memory cards.
The camera itself was beyond repair, but Stefan was curious if the photos had survived. After purchasing a memory card reader, he was astonished to find 150 pictures intact. The images depicted a group of teenage girls from a camp held in 2010.
Social Media Solves the Mystery
Seeking to identify the individuals in the recovered photos, Stefan shared some images on social media, posting them in various Facebook groups. The pictures quickly gained traction online, and within an hour, Stefan had reconnected with all three girls featured in the images.
It was confirmed that the girls had attended a confirmation camp in Varberg in 2010. However, the exact circumstances leading to the camera ending up in an Örkelljunga duck pond, over 130 kilometers away, remain a puzzle, creating a “15-year black hole” in the camera’s journey.
Emotional Reunions and Lingering Questions
One of the girls in the photos, Petronella Nordén, now 30, expressed her surprise and emotional reaction to the discovery. She recalled the ten-day camp fondly and the strong friendships formed during that time, some of which she still maintains.
“I was very surprised and emotional, there were so many memories that came back. After all, we were at the camp for ten days together. We were a large bunch who went to this camp just to hang out together. Some of this time I still spend time with.”
—Petronella Nordén
The discovery highlights the enduring power of digital memories. In 2023, a similar story emerged when a lost engagement ring, submerged in a lake for 40 years, was found by a metal detectorist and returned to its owner, demonstrating how lost items can sometimes resurface with the help of modern technology and community effort.
