Major search for Pickering man, 77, missing for eight hours in freezing conditions (From York Press)

Major search for Pickering man, 77, missing for eight hours in freezing conditions

8:14am Tuesday 5th January 2010

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A PENSIONER is lucky to be alive after going missing in snow during his daily walk in North Yorkshire.

The 77-year-old turned up after a major search by police and mountain rescue teams, after spending more than eight hours overnight in freezing conditions.

The man, from Pickering, is believed to have become disoriented during his daily afternoon walk, before finally being found shortly before dawn in a hedge at the edge of a field on the outskirts of town.

Andy Crossley, leader of the Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team, said the man had gone missing on Wednesday afternoon, and was found early on Thursday.

He said: “Considering the severity of the weather conditions and the gentleman’s age, he was very lucky indeed.”

Mr Crossley said the man was very cold and had been treated by paramedics, but suffered no lasting ill-effects.

The case was one of three missing-people searches by volunteers in the space of 48 hours, during what they say was a very busy festive period.

Another search was launched on Wednesday for a 11-year-old boy in the Ugthorpe area of the North York Moors, near Whitby.

The call came in late in the afternoon amid blizzard conditions. The boy had been missing for about two hours when the mountain rescue team began its search, but he was found safe and well, but cold, after a further 20 minutes.

Three hours into 2010, the team had another call when a woman went missing from the Seamer area of Scarborough. Again, weather conditions were deteriorating as the team started their search and concern grew as it began to snow.

The lady was found safe and well by a police officer not long after the team’s arrival.

Mr Crossley said: “All three missing people were extremely lucky to be found safe and well considering the severe weather conditions that the Mountain Rescue Team were out searching in on all three occasions.

“The team would also like to reiterate the advice of North Yorkshire Police in saying that, in conditions such as these only undertake a journey if absolutely necessary and that if you do go out ensure that you are suitably dressed and equipped for the weather conditions.”

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