Police search for a reported 'lifeless body,' turns out to be a Papa Smurf balloon

Police in Germany go into rescue mode after a lifeless body was spotted on some train tracks, but the report turned out to be a lot of hot air — or helium.

Rhein Kreis Neuss District police say a train passenger reported seeing the body out a window near Dusseldorf.The sighting was described as a "dead bearded man red pants and blue outerwear." Cops initiated a search to the tracks — even putting a helicopter in the air — and the body was found after just seven minutes of searching.

Except it wasn't actually a body: It was a deflated Papa Smurf balloon. Police had a good sense of humor about the find, photographing the balloon buckled into the back of the police car and issuing a statement that said in part they have "so far not been able to reach any relatives."

Additionally, the police have no criticisms for the person who called in the report, saying such calls save lives under different circumstances.