1 of 2 Fabien Accidini shows a message that Alex sent to his grandmother Susan Photo: BFMTV via Portal Fabien Accidini shows a message that Alex sent to his grandmother Susan Photo: BFMTV via Portal
Fabien Accidini said during an interview with French broadcaster TF1 that the boy was walking along a highway on his skateboard with a flashlight and a backpack on his back at 3 a.m. local time.
The driver then allegedly caught the teenager's attention and offered him help.
Alex asked that a note be sent to his grandmother for safe keeping.
“Hello grandma, it’s me, Alex. I am in France, in Toulouse. I really hope you get this message. I love you. I want to go home,” the text read.
According to Fabien Accidini, he realized that the boy was not French and asked how he got there.
After briefly hearing the story, Fabien finished his deliveries and took Alex to the local police, who confirmed the English teenager's identity and began the process of repatriating the boy.
2 of 2 Image of Alex Batty in 2017, before he disappeared on a trip to Spain Photo: Greater Manchester Police/Reproduction via Portal Image of Alex Batty in 2017, before he disappeared on a trip to Spain Photo: Police by Greater Manchester/ Reproduced via Portal
Alex then 11 years old disappeared in 2017 during a trip to Malaga, Spain, with his mother Melanie and grandfather David.
According to Susan, Alex's grandmother, his mother was responsible for the kidnapping. In an interview with the BBC, she says that the mother did not have custody of the child and that she acted in accordance with the grandfather.
The whereabouts of Alex's mother and grandfather are still unknown.