Hero police dog Wedge finds missing woman lost in scrubland

Police dog Wedge has found and helped to rescue an elderly woman who was found stuck in dense bushland near the city.

Police Dog Wedge and handler Senior Constable First Class Matthew Unwin helped to find a woman who had gone missing in bushland near the CBD. Picture: NT Police

POLICE dog Wedge has helped to rescue an elderly woman who was found stuck in dense bushland near the city.

The 81-year-old’s friend raised the alarm with police when she failed to show up for lunch in the CBD.

Watch Commander Acting Senior Sergeant Tony Bennett said health issues raised concerns for the missing person and so a search was launched.

“A triangulation of her phone, identified that the missing person was in an area of the city, near Francis Bay Drive,” he said.

He said police dog Wedge and Senior Constable 1st Class Unwin were sent to the location to help find the woman.

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“With Wedge leading the way, the team moved in to an area of dense vegetation, locating the elderly lady half covered by tall grass and vines,” he said.

“Being dehydrated and covered in insect bites, she was quickly moved to a nearby police vehicle where first aid was applied, while St Johns were on the way.”

The woman was then transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.

“This is a case where there was great concern for the safety of a vulnerable member of our community, with a detailed report made to police and with the help of specialist resources the missing person was located in a timely manner and saved from a potentially tragic result,” he said.

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