Missing grandfather with dementia spotted on dashcam
A desperate search is underway for a missing Perth grandfather.
Police and family are worried for the welfare of Ian Collett, 65, who has dementia and hasn’t been seen for 24 hours.
Seven News has obtained dashcam footage showing Mr Collett trying to hitch a ride on Thomas Road in Byford on Saturday about 4.34pm. It’s his last confirmed sighting.
Mr Collett’s wife, Deborah, said through tears she’s been searching for him on foot.
“I assumed he’s gone for a walk, got disoriented, I don’t know,” she said.
SES workers and police spent Sunday combing the area to find the missing grandfather. Police will continue their search on Monday.
Earlier, the alarm was raised after he went missing for two hours from his Canning Vale home for a walk at about midday on Saturday.
He was spotted on Soldiers Road in Byford at 3.30pm. The person who spotted him gave him a lift to the local 7/11 on Abernethy Road where he was captured on CCTV drinking from a McDonald’s cup and wearing a jacket that’s not believed to be his.
An hour later, witnesses told police they saw him walking on Hopkinson Road in Oakford before Thomas Road minutes later.
It was five degrees in the area on Sunday morning and 6.7 degrees at night.
Mr Collett’s journey from Canning Vale to Byford was more than 20km. His wife said that distance would be the equivalent of “five of his walks”. It’s not known how he managed the trip.
‘Just another day in Australia’: Family spot ‘fishing’ koala on camping trip
‘I felt it lock around my face’: Model fundraising for surgery after being mauled by dog
Inside Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s exclusive wedding reception
The 65-year-old may appear confused and probably doesn’t know where he is but his family said he’s not aggressive.
Anyone who sees Mr Collett is asked to call police on 131 444.
