On Wednesday afternoon, a 75-year-old man went missing near the 2000 block of SW Scenic Drive. He was found safe.
The individual, who left his residence on foot about 12:30 p.m., was reported missing and thought to be in danger, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The man was not carrying a cell phone, but he was wearing a Project Lifesaver bracelet, which allowed officials to track his location.
Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office, together with the Search and Rescue team, worked with three K9 teams, including the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue K9 team and the Sheriff’s Office drone team, to find him.
Using the Project Lifesaver receiver signal, deputies, with the help of Corporal Akin and K9 Puddles, discovered the man in a gully surrounded by dense forest. He had fallen and needed help to get out.
Medical personnel from American Medical Response (AMR) were on hand to help the Search and Rescue team safely retrieve the victim. He was then sent to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Project Lifesaver is a community-based public safety nonprofit organization that assists law enforcement, fire/rescue, and caregivers in swiftly identifying individuals with cognitive problems who are known to wander.