A Scots pensioner had to be treated for hypothermia after he went missing while out with his dogs, 10 hours after setting off from for his walk.
Ian Bonnar , who has Alzheimer's. was reported missing from Sanquhar, Dumfries and Galloway, on Wednesday November 30, having left his address around 11.15am.
The 69-year-old headed off in the direction of Crawick with his Jack Russell, Lola, and brown Staffordshire cross, Dollar, and had last been seen around 12.40pm in the town.
His son Ian Bonnar told the Dumfries and Galloway Standard: “Dad was eventually found by a farmer. He was just standing in a field with his dogs.
“He walks often and it has never been a problem before but it had become very foggy and he must have become very disorientated. It looks like he had just carried on walking until he could walk no more.
“We are just so very, very grateful to everyone from the mountain rescue teams and the police to everyone who came out to look for him. It was amazing.”
Police had asked the public for their help in tracing Ian, after concerns he may have become disorientated and been unable to find his way home. Officers had asked people to check sheds and outbuildings in case he had sought shelter.
Concerns were raised particularly as the temperatures during the day had been between 1C and 5C. The huge search for Ian involved 14 members of Moffat Mountain Rescue team and members of Galloway Mountain Rescue.
At 4.45pm, Moffat Mountain Rescue Team was called by Police Scotland to help search for the pensioner, after worried family reported him missing.
A drone from the Search and Rescue Aerial Association, the Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland and members of the local community were also involved - with more than 30 people joining in total.
Ian was later traced by a local farmer, and received emergency medical treatment at the scene, being stretchered into an ambulance.
Mr Bonnar Jnr, from Gatehouse, added: “He is in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary and they are looking after him. He was obviously cold and confused and they kept him in overnight. His dogs are fine.
“He was born in Kelloholm but has lived in Sanquhar for 42 years and both he and mum, Ann, are well known. Dad was a painter and decorator for many years and then a bus driver before he retired.
"It was so heart-warming to see how everyone rallied to help us. Everyone has been asking after the dogs too and they are both fine. We now plan to put trackers on them.”
Mr Bonnar’s brothers Ronnie and David have also praised the community response. Ronnie said: “I would like to thank everyone that helped search for my brother, Ian. What a great wee community we have. The response was overwhelming and thanks again to every one of you.”
And David Knox-Bonnar added: “To everyone who took the time looking for my brother Ian, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude.
“I found it touching you would take time to look for him. Thanks to Police Scotland, Mountain Rescue and Sanquhar Town Hall Committee also.
A spokesperson for Moffat Mountain Rescue team said: "While extensive searches were ongoing following the missing person's known walking routes, a local farmer located him and his dogs on farmland late in the evening, 10 hours after he was last seen setting out.
"The team dispatched casualty carers and paramedics to the location where the casualty was assessed and managed for hypothermia.
"More team members brought medical equipment and a specialist mountain rescue stretcher to the scene. Once safely packaged the gentleman was evacuated by the team to a waiting ambulance."
The mission was completed by 11pm, the spokesperson added. A spokesperson for Dumfries and Galloway Police Division thanked the public for their help.
The Moffat Mountain Rescue Team is run entirely by volunteers and is funded mostly by public donations. Anyone who would like to help the work of the team should visit the organisation's donation page.
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