The family of an Alexandra man found after a 17-hour search last week wants to express its gratitude to all the people who helped.
Russell Young (81) was reported missing from Alexandra on Wednesday at 7pm and was found the following day at Gabriel's Gully, near Lawrence, just before noon.
Mr Young, who has Alzheimer's, was cold and disoriented when found, but otherwise safe and well.
A family member, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the family was ''so grateful and so impressed at how everything swung into action'' after Mr Young was reported missing.
A police appeal for information about sightings of Mr Young's vehicle resulted in several calls, which helped narrow
the search field and also eventually pinpointed his location.
''It was amazing how quickly it all unfolded, how quickly the community responded and how much support we received,'' the family member said.
Mr Young's vehicle had run off the road and down a bank. He had apparently spent the night in the undamaged car or nearby.
There was heavy rain during the night and Mr Young's clothing was ''dripping wet'' when he was found, she said. There was no fuel left in the car.
''We had a sleepless night [on Wednesday night] - it was just horrible.
''The outcome could've been much worse and I can't begin to explain how relieved we were when he was found.''
She was grateful to police, searchers, Victim Support volunteers, and members of the community who assisted.
Mr Young was now in Dunedin Hospital being assessed, she said. His driver's licence had been surrendered to police.
