A pensioner with dementia who went missing in Corsham has been found safe in woodland near Corsham Court following a major overnight search.
79-year-old John was reported missing on Wednesday evening (14 October), having last been seen at around 6.30pm.
His disappearance prompted a significant search operation, with a National Police Air Service helicopter searching the grounds of Corsham Court from around 10.20pm.
Wiltshire Search and Rescue was deployed overnight, while Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue also responded to assist. Donate to support the charity here >
Volunteers faced challenging conditions as they searched woodland, open areas and a lake in a bid to locate the missing pensioner.
Assistance from Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue allowed teams to search the entire lake rapidly while other volunteers covered surrounding areas.
Wiltshire Search and Rescue said: “Challenging conditions for our volunteers overnight as we searched in [Corsham] for a missing local man living with dementia.
“Thanks to Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue for assisting, allowing us to search the whole of the lake rapidly at the same time as woodland and open areas.
“He has now been located alive”
The search continued into this morning (Thursday), with concerns for John’s welfare due to his dementia.
John was located alive in woodland near Corsham Court at around 10.30am, bringing the search to an end.
In an update, a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “We are pleased to confirm that missing John, 79, from Corsham, has just been found safe.
“Thank you to everyone who supported our appeal.”
A friend confirmed that John was found safe and in good spirits, describing him as “one in a million”.
They also thanked everyone who shared information about his disappearance or helped with the search, saying their support was greatly appreciated by his family.
