Missing 82-Year-Old Merrimack Woman Found Safe After Extensive Search

MERRIMACK, NH - Merrimack police, and fire responded to a call for a missing 82-year-old woman on Brek Drive on Friday.

Police were advised the woman was last seen in the area of Brek Drive when she went for a walk at 8:30 p,m. Police immediately began searching several wooded areas around the residence and continued to expand the areas being searched.

Merrimack Fire Rescue responded with several firefighters and medics and began searching on foot and in vehicles. A town-wide alert was put out on text, email, and social media.

Merrimack Police requested the assistance of a K9 from Londonderry Police, and their drone unit to assist in the search.

A command post was set up outside the residence where the woman had last been seen. Firefighters coordinated with police to log the areas being searched, and also logged where the Londonderry K9 had searched.

The drone with a special “Flir” camera system shows heat signatures that allow the operator to see people in wooded areas. The drone operator flying at about 150 feet can see an expansive area and is able to quickly change areas.

Concern was growing as temperatures began to cool down, and the woman had been missing for over 2.5 hours. Merrimack Police were in the process of requesting services from the NH State Police Air Wing when an officer radioed she had been found.

Officers searching on Erik Street found the woman in a vehicle in someone's driveway at about 10:30 p.m. Merrimack officers, the Londonderry PD K9 team, and the drone were all integral parts in finding the woman named Anita.

Merrimack Fire Paramedics brought the ambulance to the scene where she was found, and medically evaluated her. She appeared to be cold but uninjured, and the ambulance transported her back to her residence.

When the ambulance arrived several family members, police officers and firefighters greeted her. After receiving several hugs from family members she was escorted back into the house.

The officer in charge of the search said it was truly a collaborative effort of Merrimack Police, Fire, and Londonderry Police.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news