A 72-year-old man has been found safe after his mobility scooter was found abandoned in a park on the weekend.
David Pineo, who is not able to communicate verbally and needs daily medication, went missing on Saturday, his scooter found in Bracken Park without its key.
He was located Monday morning by Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue, which was part of the search along with the Oyster River Fire Department and RCMP Air Services.
“He was taken to local hospital to be checked out out of an abundance of caution but appeared to be in relatively good condition,” said Comox Valley RCMP Const. Monika Terragni. “Finding him alive and well is obviously the best outcome we ever could have hoped for.”
Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue president Paul Berry said it was the unit’s dogs that found Pineo.
Berry said the crew did thorough grid searches, including an area upstream from where the scooter was found on the Oyster River.
Pineo was found about a kilometre away from where he set out, on the other side of the relatively low river.
“Not easy walking for someone who has some mobility challenges,” Berry said.
After that, he made his way up the bank and ended up in thick undergrowth. That’s where he was found by the dogs.
“We surmised he was looking for home and was confused,” Berry said.
