TROY –– An elderly man who went missing in the woods behind a residence on East Hill Road in Troy was safely located and rescued yesterday at around 4:30 p.m. The Vermont State Police Derby Barracks received a report that the man was unable to be located by family, prompting a coordinated search operation.
Given the freezing temperatures and windy conditions, combined with swampy areas in the woods, the search posed significant safety concerns. Responding to the scene were uniformed troopers from the Derby Barracks, State Police K-9 units, unmanned aerial system pilots, members of the State Police Search and Rescue Team, Troy volunteer firefighters, and Newport Ambulance Service personnel.
A search team, including troopers and firefighters, was quickly formed and deployed into the woods. VSP K9 Carbon successfully tracked the subject’s scent, leading to the prompt location of the elderly man in a wooded area. First responders and assisting members of the public brought him safely out of the woods.
The man was evaluated by Newport EMS personnel on the scene and then transported to North Country Hospital as a precautionary measure.
During the rescue operation, East Hill Road experienced significant emergency personnel presence, reducing it to one lane for several hours.
The Vermont State Police expressed gratitude to its first responder partners and the public for their invaluable assistance in resolving this incident safely.
