Police battle heat in urgent search for missing dementia sufferer

NT police were in a race against time to find a missing man with dementia. Read the latest.

Multiple units of the NT Police force were mobilised this week in the search for a 73-year-old dementia sufferer missing around Adelaide River.

Police were notified early on Monday that the man, identified as John, had not been seen since 10pm the previous evening, prompting a large-scale search north of Adelaide River.

With the assistance of his carer, police battled rising temperatures in the hunt for the man, who suffered from late-stage dementia and type-2 diabetes.

The police mounted unit was deployed for the rescue.

A large-scale response was deployed including one Longranger helicopter with Territory Response Group air observers, three members from the mounted unit, four motorcycles and one all-terrain vehicle, three Australian search and rescue dogs, seven search and rescue members and one drone.

Part of the search zone for the missing man.

Just before 5pm on Monday, a police search team located John about 800 meters from his home on a vacant property.

Police said he was found in a disoriented state and was transported to the local medical clinic for assessment and treatment before being safely returned to his carer.

Acting Sergeant Chris Grotherr said the man’s situation was made worse by the heat of the day.

“The report of a missing person who suffers from dementia is always concerning, particularly considering the high temperatures in the area,” he said.

“We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone involved in this rescue.

“Without the support of each responder, this successful outcome wouldn’t have been possible.”

Originally published as Police battle heat in urgent search for missing dementia sufferer