Missing Elderly Man Rescued in Texas After Spending 48 Hours In Freezing-Cold Temperatures

The man's truck was found in mud on a 3,000-acre farm about 16 miles away from his original destination, according to Texas Game Wardens

Authorities in Texas say an elderly man who went missing in October was found alive two days later, having battled freezing temperatures after getting lost.

Family reached out to authorities 24 hours after the man, who was not publicly identified, did not return home from a doctor’s appointment, according to a news release from Texas Game Wardens.

Temperatures had plummeted into the 30s at that time, so “officials expected the worst,” they added.

The next day, Game Wardens learned that a ranch hand had come upon an abandoned vehicle “that was stuck in the mud” on a nearly 3,000-acre farm.

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The farm where the man was found was 16 miles away from his original destination, according to the news release.

Game Wardens were able to confirm that the vehicle belonged to the missing individual and notified the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office.

Crews eventually found the man “lying on the trail between the fields and river,” but initially believed they were “too late,” according to the Game Wardens’ news release.

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Upon realizing the man had a pulse, rescuers gave him first aid and covered him with their jackets. The man eventually came to and “began talking and drinking water,” the Game Wardens said.

The man was then transported via helicopter to emergency care and “is expected to make a full recovery.” His condition was not released.

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The three men “who reported the vehicle and volunteered with the search and care of the missing individual” were thanked by the Game Wardens after the “scary situation.”

It is unclear how the man's truck entered the mud, or why he exited his vehicle.

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