Ralph Gibbs allegedly removes sick partner from care home, drives across the country

An elderly man will face court after he allegedly removed his very sick partner from a care facility and tried to drive her across the border.

An elderly West Australian man will face court after brazenly removing his sick partner from a care facility and driving her 1500km in an attempt to cross the border, police allege.

Carol Lisle, 84, and Ralph “Terry” Gibbs, 80, were found near the settlement of Warakurna, just over an hour from the Northern Territory border, on Tuesday morning, following their escape two days earlier.

Police allege Mr Gibbs was visiting the wheelchair-bound Ms Lisle at her Mandurah care facility on January 2 when he saw an opportunity to remove her from the facility and jumped on it.

Missing couple Carol Lisle, 84, and her partner Ralph Gibbs, 80, have been found. Picture: Western Australia Police

He placed her into his car before driving away.

Mr Gibbs did not have the legal authority to remove her from the care facility and police said the woman was incapable of making such a decision herself.

Police also allege Mr Gibbs had planned prior to visiting her to remove Ms Lisle from the facility and drive out of WA.

Police say his preparations for and execution of the plan put Ms Lisle’s health and safety at risk during the long time she spent in the vehicle. They also claim Mr Gibbs did not consider the high level of medical care she required.

Mr Gibbs has now been charged with offences related to the incident.

Following an extensive search, the vehicle was located on Tuesday at about 10am with the help of truck drivers, local police and information from the public near Warakurna.

Ms Lisle needed urgent medical attention and was taken to a nursing post in Warakurna before being flown to Perth by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

She is now recovering at Peel Health Campus.

Mr Gibbs, of Dudley Park, has been charged with deprivation of liberty and endanger life, health or safety of a person.

He was refused bail and flown to Perth, where he is set to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday.