Missing Fernhill man Bruce Ludbrook has been found alive in bushland after spending three nights alone in wet, near-freezing conditions.
Trailbike riders stumbled on the missing 71-year-old on a track in bushland north of Broker's Nose at 9.25am today in a remarkable end to the three-day search.
Despite being dehydrated and suffering hypothermia, Mr Ludbrook was able to tell his rescuers that he had been missing for several days and needed help.
SLIDESHOW: Police launch search for missing Illawarra man Elderly man found in Mt Ousley bush Bush search for missing man enters third day "It's him, it's fantastic news," Wollongong duty officer Inspector Bryan Wyver said from the rescue scene this morning.
"He's not in too bad a condition actually. The ambulance officers are going to take him out and get some fluid into him."
He is in a serious but stable condition and has been taken to Wollongong Hospital.
Mr Ludbrook was found on top of the escarpment between the Picton Road turn off and Bellambi Creek.
Insp Wyver said it was about 6km directly west of where he was last seen, however Mr Ludbrook had walked many more kilometres before arriving there.
"If you come from where he lives, he went straight west and over the top of the mountain," Insp Wyver said.
He had endured overnight temperatures as low as 7C and driving rain, making his rescue even more remarkable.
Up to 30 emergency service personnel had been searching for Mr Ludbrook after he went for a stroll on Tuesday afternoon and never returned.
A fit individual, he had been known to walk as far as Bulli and Dapto from his Fernhill home.
Mr Ludbrook was last seen about 4pm on Tuesday walking towards the old Corrimal colliery site.
Fears for his safety intensified when temperatures plummeted during the nights and rainy conditions set in.
Police said Mr Ludbrook, who is suffering early onset dementia, had lived in Fernhill for the past 30 years and used to work at the Bulli colliery.
For full coverage and pictures of his amazing rescue, see Saturday's Mercury.
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