A Perth grandmother missing for three days has been found alive, pulled from a creek in the city’s south-east in what’s been described as a “miracle”.
Patricia Dickson went missing on Friday afternoon while walking her dog in Thornlie. The loyal companion never left her side, barking to attract attention.
This morning the 82-year-old was in the arms of rescuers after being found in a creek about 400 metres from her home.
“I can’t – I’ve got no words, this is a miracle,” overcome neighbour Kylie Linto said as Dickson was loaded into an ambulance.
Family raised the alarm after Dickson disappeared near her Avon Court home and neighbours helped police and the State Emergency Service search dense bushland nearby.
About 9am today (midday AEDT), the moment everyone had been hoping for arrived when a police officer heard Jess the maltese shih tzu barking.
Neighbours and volunteers were overcome with relief, calling it a “miracle”.
“She’s in shock, she’s just like, ‘What’s going on?’ and she looked panicked and I said, ‘Look Pat, it’s Kylie’ and she lit up and it sort of grounded her a little bit to know that there’s someone,” Linto said.
“I just can’t believe it.”
The grandmother was taken to Armadale Hospital for a check-up.
WA Police Inspector Erica Silwood said Dickson was “dehydrated and a little confused”.
“It’s a terrific outcome for her age and the length of time she had been missing,” Silwood said.
“We were very pleased and also exceptionally surprised by the result.”
Jess also received care at the local vet as police praised the community for leaping into action.
“We were just like keeping hope but we started getting scared what we were going to find,” Linto said.
“But I can’t believe it. I cannot believe it.”
