Missing elderly man located near Eldridge Park; Other agencies provide drone, bloodhound, other K-9 support

By Dee Longfellow

For The Elmhurst Independent

According to a release received from the City, a missing elderly man was found after he was reported missing in the area surrounding Eldridge Park in southwest Elmhurst on Friday, Dec. 18.

The Elmhurst Police Department was notified on Friday of an at-risk male who was missing and that the subject had several medical conditions and used a cane for mobility.

The City received several calls from residents of the area, who noticed the significant police presence in the neighborhood. Many first responders and other officials completed systematic searches that required the coordination of several agencies.

After an extensive search, the man was located by first responders at about 1 a.m. At the scene, paramedics determined that his core body temperature was below normal so the man was transported to Elmhurst Hospital for treatment. 

“We are grateful he was able to be found due to the outside temperature and amount of time that had passed,” said Kassondra Schref, communications manager for the City of Elmhurst. “We would like to thank the Elmhurst Fire Department, the Elmhurst Emergency Services and Disaster Coordinator, the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with a bloodhound, the Du-COMM dispatch center, and the West Chicago Fire Department, in conjunction with the West Chicago Search and Rescue Strike Team for their use of a drone and additional K-9 search teams.

“All first responders on the scene appreciated the cooperation and concern from residents in the community.”

The man’s identity was not provided.