Christmas miracle of finding Paul Kearns alive after four days

The discovery of missing 77-year-old Paul Kearns alive in bushland after four days of extreme rain and storms on the Fraser Coast qualifies as a Christmas miracle. Police have revealed more details about how Mr Kearns was found and how he managed to stay alive. VIDEO, PHOTOS

Inspector Paul Algie of the Maryborough Police Service has thanked all volunteers and services that helped find missing man Paul Kearns on Friday morning, December 20.

Mr Kearns, 77, was found in the bushland surrounding the Burrum River, around 8km from where he went missing from near Riverview Drive on December 16.

“The fact that Mr Kearns has been found alive this morning is nothing short of a Christmas miracle,” Inspector Algie said.

The extensive search was “well-supported by the Burrum Heads and Hervey Bay communities”, and Insp Algie thanked the “several hundred people” who showed up to help.

Volunteers were supported by 30 SES personnel, 10 search and rescue trained QPS personnel, and 30 Australian military soldiers from Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane.

The incredible moment missing man Paul Kearns, 77, is found alive after four days during extreme weather on the Fraser Coast.

At 7:30am on Friday, a member of the public who was not part of the official search found Mr Kearns whilst walking about 3km from the road.

He was discovered extremely dehydrated near a fallen tree and emergency services were immediately deployed to the location, which was hard to access by vehicle. Emergency services personnel became bogged on their way to the scene.

Mr Kearns was treated by ambulance officers at the scene and then carried by stretcher 3km back to the road by Australian Defence Force personnel, before being sent to hospital.

Paul Kearns was carried by stretcher back to the roadside by ADF soldiers after being found in an isolated and hard to access location in the bush.

Insp Algie said there were unverified reports that Mr Kearns was seen in a coffee shop and around other areas of Burrum Heads.

“The fact that he was able to survive for this period of time in bushland after all the rainfall that we had and without food or water is amazing,” he said.

“At this point yesterday, we were terribly concerned for Mr Kearns’ welfare.

“What this does show is that in search and rescues, we never give up.

“Survivability doctors who assist us with search and rescue have told us that he would have had to take in water, and we believe that he has taken in water by drinking from puddles or keeping his mouth open and taking in rainwater.

“We are not able to speak to Mr Kearns to find out if he took in any food or how he drank water because he is not able to speak at this stage.”

Insp Algie warned people of walking trails alone in severe weather.

Volunteers were supported by 30 SES personnel, 10 search and rescue trained QPS personnel, and 30 Australian military soldiers from Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane.

“It’s important that we keep an eye on each other, and if we are going to walk on our own, we let people know where we’re going and when we’ll be back,” he said.

“If you’re going to exercise, I’d always take water with you, and more importantly, a mobile phone is very important in the event you need to call someone.”

Earlier

The discovery of missing 77-year-old Paul Kearns alive in bushland after four days of extreme rain and storms on the Fraser Coast has been hailed somewhat of a Christmas miracle.

Mr Kearns went missing on December 16 at Burrum Heads after last being seen at a home on Riverview Drive in the mid-afternoon.

With a medical condition that sometimes left him confused, fears quickly grew for his welfare.

But a massive search and rescue effort by police, SES rural fireys, Remote Piloted Aerial System and Queensland Remote Area Tracking personnel yielded the best possible outcome on Friday morning.

Mr Kearns was found - in pretty bad shape but alive.

Police thanked the public and media for their assistance.

Paul Kearns (pictured) went missing from Riverview Drive, Burrum Heads between 3.30pm and 4.30pm on Monday.

Police and family held concerns for Paul’s welfare as he has a medical condition which causes confusion.

Queensland Police have released photos in relation to the search and rescue operation which located a 77-year-old man alive in the Burrum River area after four days in extreme weather.

Queensland Police have released photos in relation to the search and rescue operation which located a 77-year-old man alive in the Burrum River area after four days in extreme weather.

Originally published as Christmas miracle of finding Paul Kearns alive after four days