Local Maxine Brown, 78, was reported to police after she went missing from her home in Margaret River on Wednesday evening – resulting in a desperate search for the mother and grandmother.
Ms Brown was found in rugged and dense bushland, hiding in the scrub cold and alone, according to a report by PerthNow.
Family and friends concerned for her welfare were relieved when Ms Brown was discovered early the next morning, following the police search, and was reunited with her family at hospital soon after.
Camera footage of the incredible moment WA Police discovered Ms Brown “leaning against a tree” in the dense bushland has been shared on the WA Police Force Twitter account.
The caring officer continued, “Hello darling,” in which Ms Brown responded, “Hello,” with the police officer asking her, “Are you a bit cold?” and offered her a jacket.
An officer also told Ms Brown, “We’ve got your little belongings too, darling.”
“I just saw her leaning up against the tree there,” the police officer who found her shared can be heard telling another colleague on the rescue mission in the video footage.
“Lucky the sun came up, hey?” he added.
Safe & Found: Maxine's Story
On Wednesday evening, 78-year-old Maxine went missing from her home in Margaret River.
Watch the video here: https://t.co/vQRz7gzFAb
— WA Police Force (@WA_Police) May 20, 2022
The elderly woman had planned to visit her daughter’s home the previous night, but never made it.
“On Wednesday evening, 78-year-old Maxine went missing from her home in Margaret River,” explained Inspector Steve Scott from the Emergency Management & Specialist Support Division.
“She was going … intending to visit her daughter and unfortunately didn’t arrive, so police were notified and started commencing a search operation to try and locate her.”
“After the text message went out, and the very quick and amazing response from the police, they sent a message out to the whole community, everyone received the text message … which was just amazing and we’re so immensely grateful for that,” Jane shared.
“She had a really detailed profile registered with the police. She wears a pendant that is like a medical bracelet, that has a case number for her, it has my mobile number, and that … if she goes missing, there is a quick and efficient way that she can be returned and found safely,” Ms Brown’s daughter added.
