SHIOCTON — A 83-year-old missing rural Outagamie County man is alive after rescuers used a drone to find him in a remote field near his home.
According to an Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office news release, deputies and first responders were called about 7:30 p.m. Thursday to a home on Old Highway 54 Road in the Town of Bovina near Shiocton for a report of a missing 83 year old man who suffers from dementia.
Investigators say it was apparent the man had walked away from his home and had been missing for more than eight hours.
While officers and first responders searched the area on foot, deputies deployed a drone equipped with a FLIR thermal camera.
The drone allows deputies to search a wide area quickly and view heat sources. After an hour of searching with the drone deputies located the man lying in a remote area approximately 400 yards from his house.
Without the use of the drone, the sheriff’s office says it is highly unlikely the man would have been found before nightfall and most likely saved his life.
The man was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Deputies were assisted on scene by Shiocton Fire and EMS.
After speaking with the family of the man, they have agreed to the release of this video. Specifically, the family noted how grateful they were this equipment was available.
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