A combined effort by multiple emergency organizations and law enforcement agencies located a 57-year-old Aberdeen man on Sunday after he was reported missing while going for a walk.
The man is currently being treated for hypothermia and other medical conditions at Harbor Regional Health Community Hospital, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
“We probably average a SAR mission, a search and rescue mission, once a month,” said Chief Criminal Deputy Kevin Schrader of the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office in a phone interview.
A caller reported the man missing at 5:23 a.m. on Sunday, according to the news release. The 57-year-old man had said he was going for a walk in the snow around the property, located on the 300 block of Bowes Road south of Humptulips, according to the news release. The caller stated they had gone into Aberdeen to check some likely locations, but had not located him, according to the news release.
“Call immediately if you think someone is missing,” Schrader said. “Give us a call as soon as possible so we can get available resources to the scene.”
Deputies from the sheriff’s office, supported by a dog team from West Coast Search Dogs and a drone with thermal imaging capability from the Washington Department of Corrections, searched the area for the man. The drone was able to spot the man at 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, about a day after he’d set out, and was able to vector rescuers to where the man was trapped by vegetation, according to the news release.
“Luckily for this man, he was somewhat dressed for the weather,” Schrader said. “The big thing is always be prepared for the worst.”
Personnel from Fire District 10, Fire District 17 and the Hoquiam Fire Department also assisted with the effort.
“This is a great example of the teamwork that takes place in Grays Harbor County. All these resources came together for a positive outcome,” stated the release. “Thank you to all the agencies who assisted with this investigation.”
Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.
