Missing man, 88, dies hours after reunited with family
A grandfather has died just hours after a search and rescue team found the missing 88-year-old in nearby bushland.
Jack Platt, 88, went missing on Saturday and was last seen leaving his supported accommodation in Reeve Court Village in Merseyside, England.
His family believed that Mr Platt, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, went for a walk and got confused. His son John Platt formed a Facebook group, organising the local community in a search for his father.
Over the weekend, a team of police officers, a police helicopter and the Merseyside Volunteer Search and Rescue team joined the search.
Mr Platt was found in Waterside Village on Monday, “really tucked into a bush” according to the ‘Find Jack Platt’ Facebook group.
He was treated on the scene and taken to hospital with his family. He was assisted by the North West Ambulance Service, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and rescue service.
However, in a heartbreaking post his family revealed that he died just hours after being reunited with his loved ones.
“A day of mixed emotions,” posted his son John.
“This will be our last post on this page – it did exactly what it hoped it would – it helped us to find Dad,” John said.
“I wish that I could tell you that the story ended there, but sadly Dad passed this evening – the recovery from hypothermia was too much for his body and he slipped away in the company of people that loved him,” John said.
In spite of the family’s pain, they remained grateful for the community’s assistance.
“Thank you all for your help and support over the last few harrowing days,” he said.
“As a family we’re blessed with great friends and have been given great strength by the community that has taken Dad/Granddad/Jack into their hearts,” his son said.
