File photo of an RCMP vehicle. (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Missing 83-year-old man located in Porcupine Hills

Jun 27, 2022 | 6:59 AM

CLARESHOLM, AB – An outdoorsman and his 11-year-old son played an integral part in locating a missing person over the weekend.

At around 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2022, Claresholm RCMP received a report from the 40-year-old man from Calgary that he and his young son were riding an ATV and had encountered an elderly man deep in the Porcupine Hills area, west of Claresholm. The caller reported that the elderly man appeared to be disoriented and confused. The RCMP noted that the caller has lost sight of the elderly man while seeking high ground to get cellphone service to call for help.

Multiple units responded to the area following the call. Responders included Claresholm RCMP, Fort Macleod RCMP and agencies such as the Willow Creek Emergency Services (Claresholm and Stavely Fire Departments), Alberta Health Services, Fish and Wildlife, and RCMP Police Dog Services from Lethbridge.

During the response, the investigation found that the elderly man was an 83-year-old from Crowsnest Pass who had been reported missing.

At 9:20 p.m., using All Terrain Vehicles, Willow Creek Emergency Services found the missing man, with the help of the 40-year-old caller from Calgary. Responders transported the elderly man out of the rural area to a waiting ambulance. He was assessed, released and brought back to his family.

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Corporal Dalyn Orsten of the Claresholm RCMP said, “the caller, and his 11-year-old son, undoubtedly saved the missing mans life. Without their actions of calling police and assisting emergency services, the outcome could have been very different.”

Further investigation found that the elderly man had been wandering the wilderness for approximately eight hours after his vehicle was stuck somewhere in the area and he became disoriented.

The man’s vehicle, a 2010 dark blue Ford Ranger pickup truck, has not yet been located. Police believe the truck is somewhere in the Porcupine Hills, possibly in the areas of East Trout Creek or Lyndon Creek. Anyone with information or who finds the truck is asked to call Claresholm RCMP at 403-625-4445 or their local police service.