Elderly Man Rescued After Being Lost in Garrison Woods
A 95-year-old White Plains man was found by searchers after he got lost walking in the woods in Garrison on Saturday, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
The man and his wife had taken a car trip to visit Boscobel, located on Route 9D in Garrison, at around 6 p.m. Saturday. The man decided to go for a walk along a nearby wooded trail while his wife opted to wait in the car, police said. The wife grew concerned, however, when after more than two hours her husband had not returned.
The woman notified Boscobel officials, who searched the property unsuccessfully before calling 9-1-1, police said. The sheriff’s department first responded, then summoned members of the Cold Spring Volunteer Fire Department and a Town of Kent Police Department canine handler for assistance. Sheriff’s deputies searched the woods with light-equipped ATVs, but their task was complicated as hundreds of people were leaving Boscobel after a performance of Shakespeare in the Park, police said.
Finally, just before midnight and after more than three hours of searching, the man was found, police said. He reportedly told police he had slipped and fallen into a slippery ravine and was unable to climb out.
“Given the man’s very advanced years and his exhausting efforts to climb out of the ravine, he certainly could have become injured and then suffered dangerous exposure or shock as he lay there throughout the night,” Sheriff Don Smith said in a press release.
Sheriff’s officers brought the man back to the command post on an ATV, where he was examined by first responders, police said. He was determined not to be injured and reunited with his wife.
