Man finds missing mother with Alzheimer’s thanks to Facebook
A doctor who was holidaying in Melbourne has found a 68-year-old missing mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s and had wandered from her home.
Dr Andrew Slack was in town with his wife from Queensland when he saw a police helicopter and used Facebook to join the search.
"It shows the very positive way social media can help the community and rally the support of the community to look for people and help out whenever necessary," Andrew said.
Dr Andrew Slack is being hailed as a hero by the Van Deuren family.
A very relieved Van Deuren family were able to thank Andrew in person for saving their mother when they met on the weekend.
Andrew found Maureen 500m from the main road, shivering in waist deep water in Dandenong Creek. She seemed confused but happy to see him.
"I turned my flash light on her, and said 'oh hello Maureen is that you?' and she replied 'yes'," Andrew said.
Maureen’s husband Hank added: “Without them, without their help, I don't think we would've found her, not alive anyway,"
The family had spent hours searching for Maureen to no avail.
"I drove around I think for about 10 hours just everywhere, looking for her - it's like finding a needle in a hay stack,” Hank said.
Maureen, 68, had wandered away from her family home.
Maureen's daughter Emma says she is grateful the Slack family decided to visit Melbourne.
"Came down from Queensland for a holiday and goes back a hero," Emma said.
Maureen suffered a cut to the back of her head but is expected to be released from hospital soon.