An elderly Queensland man’s two dogs have been hailed as the heroes of a multi-day search party after leading rescuers to their owner’s location.
David John Grimes, an 86-year-old man from Penwhaupell in the North Burnett region of central Queensland, had been missing for two days before being found, covered in rocks and partially submerged in water.
The man had gone for a walk in the woods near his home with his two Jack Russell terriers on Monday afternoon.
David Grimes went missing after walking his dogs near bushland at his home near Bundaberg. (Queensland Police)
When he did not return that night, his family raised the alarm.
During the two nights Grimes was missing, temperatures dropped below 10 degrees, leading to serious concerns for his safety.
Parts of the search were carried out from the ground and air, using a Bundaberg Rescue Helicopter, SES crews and police divers.
The family, aided by volunteers on quads and horses, helped emergency services survey the area.
The man’s two Jack Russell terriers alerted the search party to the man’s location. (Queensland Police)
It was Grimes’ two dogs that eventually led the search party for the man Wednesday.
The two dogs were found when they started barking at a volunteer’s horse.
“Searchers realized the pets belonged to the missing man, prompting them to thoroughly search the immediate area,” a RACQ Lifeflight spokesman said.
“They found it obscured by rocks and partially submerged in water.”
SES teams, police divers, a rescue helicopter and volunteers on quad bikes and on horseback helped in the search. (RACQ Lifeflight) The man was treated by paramedics for hypothermia and airlifted to Bundaberg Hospital. (RACQ Lifeflight Tribunal)
Grimes is believed to have fallen during his walk and became covered in debris.
Rescuers said the man had been “extremely difficult to track”, adding that without the help of the dogs, he might not have been found.
The rescue helicopter, commissioned by the police to help in the search, landed nearby.
Queensland Ambulance Service and the flight paramedic treated the man for hypothermia.
He was taken to Bundaberg Hospital for treatment.