UPDATE: Illawarra Police Rescue Squad has reported that 87-year-old IRT resident James Simpson has been found alive and is being treated.
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Earlier on Tuesday – the fourth day of a widespread multi-agency search – for the Meriton Street nursing home resident, the rescue squad said there were “over 100 registered volunteers” looking for Mr Simpson.
Police thanked the public and media for their help in the search and said Mr Simpson was assessed by paramedics for dehydration and exposure after he was found at 3pm.
“James Simpson is dehydrated but otherwise is [in a] reasonable condition,” the rescue squad said.
“[He was] located approx 2.8 km from his last known location about [five metres] into bush, located by Illawarra RFS strike team in an allocated search area.”
Mr Simpson disappeared from the retirement village at 6am on Saturday, wearing his pyjamas and slippers.
Searchers included the State Emergency Service, Rural Fire Service and Marine Rescue, along with Police, the Westpac Lifesaver 23 helicopter and Maritime services and “members of the public keeping an eye out”,
MONDAY: The multi-agency search for a missing 87-year-old IRT resident has been suspended after a third day.
James Simpson, who is believed to have dementia and hearing problems, was reported missing from the retirement village in St Georges Basin on Saturday, sparking a major police search.
He was last seen about 6am on Saturday wearing pyjamas and slippers.
The Illawarra’s Police Rescue Squad said on Monday afternoon that the third day of searching was called off around 6pm.
“Unfortunately [the search] has not yielded the result we were hoping for,” they said.
“Search teams will will be deployed again tomorrow to locate Mr Simpson.”
The extensive search, which covered land, sea and air, also involved the SES, NSW Rural Fire Service, Marine Rescue and Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters.
Meantime, Mr Simpson’s family made an appeal for his whereabouts on Facebook.
“Can everyone please share this around,” Renae Parkinson wrote.
“My uncle’s father is missing and he needs to be found asap. He is deaf and has dementia, he is wearing black.”
Mr Simpson is described as being Caucasian in appearance, with a thin build and greying hair.
Police are urging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.