Wednesday night around 6:30 PM, Plumas County Search and Rescue (SAR) responded to a report of an elderly man with dementia who had walked away from his home in Crescent Mills. The man had been missing for some time, and concerned family, friends, and neighbors were actively searching the area.
As SAR teams arrived on scene, a neighbor located the man in a small ravine some distance from his home. He had become entangled in loose barbed wire and was unable to free himself. Plumas District Hospital and Indian Valley Fire responded to assist. Once the man was safely freed from the wire, he was able to walk out with support from responders and was transported to PDH for medical evaluation.
While this incident had a positive outcome, we want to remind the public that not all cases involving individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s end so fortunately. These individuals can be extremely difficult to locate due to unpredictable behavior, limited communication, and their tendency to travel long distances without a clear sense of direction.
Plumas County SAR strongly encourages families caring for loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s to consider using a personal tracking device designed for at-risk individuals. These tools significantly improve response times and greatly increase the chances of a safe recovery.
We’re grateful for the teamwork and quick response from all involved — and most importantly, that this gentleman is now safe.
