Missing Gold Coast man William Dilworth’s miracle survival in Tweed hinterland

A family friend remarkably stumbled upon a Gold Coast 66-year-old with dementia who was unable to speak and lost in bushland for four days. Read his miracle survival story

An elderly Gold Coast man who survived four entire days lost in bush likely survived because his dementia meant he “hasn’t panicked greatly”, a police inspector says.

In a miraculous recovery, 66-year-old William (Billy) Dilworth was found in the Byrrill Creek rainforest, south-west of Murwillumbah, about 2.15pm Sunday.

He had disappeared from his Pimpama home last Wednesday, with his car discovered in the Tweed hinterland - leaving police and family seriously fearing for his safety.

Mr Dilworth lives with dementia and requires daily medication.

Rescuers carrying William Dilworth out of the rainforest where he was found.

Tweed-Byron Detective Chief Inspector Matt Kehoe said a family friend literally stumbled upon him: “He pretty much walked almost right up on him.

“It appears as though (Mr Dilworth) probably tripped over a tree root, has fallen into a culvert from a creek and has laid there for some time.”

Mr Dilworth was unable to respond to his name being called.

Police believe the Pimpama man drove his car to the area and spent four days in the bushland.

Pimpama man William (Billy) Dilworth, 66.

Insp Kehoe said Mr Dilworth had no reason to be there.

“He’s a very tough old fella, I think,” he said.

“He does have dementia and I think while that’s put him in the position he was in, he has probably been assisted slightly with his dementia in that he hasn’t panicked greatly over that period.

“It wasn’t overly hot and wasn’t very cold overnight - those conditions certainly helped.”

Mr Dilworth’s friend Jo-Anne Tosnik said she first noticed something was amiss when he failed to show up to a seniors group meeting.

“Bill would come to these meetings but lately we had not seen him,” Ms Tosnik said.

“We were all concerned about him and then when this happened we were devastated.

“We are all so pleased that he has been found safe and is now back with his loving family.

“Hopefully we will see him again when he has recovered fully.”

Volunteers and emergency services spent days looking for the 66-year-old Pimpama man.

Mr Dilworth was in a stable condition at Lismore Base Hospital on Monday and had been communicating with family and medical staff.

Insp Kehoe thanked the dozens of volunteers and emergency service workers who joined in the search effort.

“I’d like to really recognise the work of the SES, the Rural Fire Service and the Volunteer Rescue Association, along with family, friends, community members and Queensland PolAir,” he said.

“None of them gave up the hope that we would find him.

“When the call came out that he was found and alive, there were people running up the hill and so excited.”

William Dilworth being treated after he was found.

Earlier, Sunday October 9

A Gold Coast man has been found “alive and well” in the Tweed hinterland after he went missing from his home four days ago.

In a miraculous tale of survival, 66-year-old Pimpama man William Dilworth was found in the Byrrill Creek rainforest about 2.15pm Sunday.

“He is alive and well,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said.

“He is dehydrated with minor injuries, but otherwise in good spirits.”

Mr Dilworth was airlifted to the Lismore Base Hospital for treatment.

Police and family of the 66-year-old held serious fears for his safety after he disappeared several days ago, with his car discovered in the Tweed hinterland.

Mr Dilworth lives with dementia and requires daily medication.

On Sunday, emergency services resumed a large-scale search operation south of the border.

Mr Dilworth, who goes by Billy, had last been seen at his Pimpama home on Wednesday, October 5.

His family raised the alarm when he could not be found and he was reported missing to Queensland Police the following day.

The 66-year-old’s car was later found at Byrrill Creek Rd, Doon Doon.

William Dilworth’s car was found at Byrrill Creek Rd. Picture: Natascha via NSW SES Murwillumbah Unit

A coordinated multi-agency land and air search focussed on the heavily forested areas of Doon Doon and Byrrill Creek, about 40km southwest of Tweed Heads.

The 66-year-old’s family had pleaded with the community on social media to help find their beloved “Pop” just hours before he was located.

Pimpama man William (Billy) Dilworth

In a post on her Facebook page Sunday morning, Mr Dilworth’s daughter-in-law Casey Dilworth made an eerily accurate prediction.

“Today is the day! Time to come home Pop,” she wrote.

“My father-in-law Bill is missing since Wednesday, October 5.

“He has now spent four nights away from home. Please look out for him, we need him to come home.”

Local police, the Dog and Mounted Unit, Police Rescue, Queensland PolAir, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Rural Fire Service were among the teams that had joined the search.

Pimpama man William (Billy) Dilworth, 66, has been missing for several days.

The small town of Byrrill Creek – home to about 200 people – was hit hard during this year’s floods.

In March, residents were cut off after a wall of water smashed access bridges to the town.

They were left grieving the loss of one of their own after a man’s body was found days after he disappeared in flood waters.

The area is about 30 minutes from one of Australia’s most well-known mountains, Wollumbin – also known as Mt Warning.

Originally published as Missing Gold Coast man William Dilworth’s miracle survival in Tweed hinterland