Missing patient found safe and well
A MAJOR search for an elderly man who discharged himself from hospital in the middle of the night ended in relief tonight after he was found safe and well.
Roddy Ashworth
A MAJOR search for an elderly man who discharged himself from hospital in the middle of the night ended in relief tonight after he was found safe and well.
Joseph Preston, from Ascot Mews in Clacton, had undergone surgery at Colchester General Hospital on Thursday but left shortly after midnight this morning, against medical advice.
The 72-year-old man, whose life was "at risk" according to medics, was found at 10.50pm on farmland at Langham.
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It followed a huge search of the hospital's surrounding roads and fields, including police and RAF helicopters.
He was taken back to Colchester Hospital suffering from the effects of cold, but otherwise safe and well.
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A police spokesman thanked the people of Colchester for their help in the search, particularly the Lowland Search and Rescue team.
