Vulnerable resident found

A RESIDENT described as “extremely vulnerable'' who disappeared from a care home was found after a major air search.

The 48-year-old man was reported missing from the Brettvale care home at Granary Barn, Lower Raydon, near Hadleigh, at 7.18pm on Friday night.

The Suffolk police helicopter was mobilised to search for the man after staff told police one of their residents had gone missing and they considered him to be “extremely vulnerable.”

The man, who was described as having medical problems and learning difficulties, was located by the helicopter crew using thermal imaging equipment, near to Dewlands Farm, near Raydon, in open countryside at about 9.30pm.

The man complained of having heard a crack in his ankle and he was unable to walk so he was airlifted to an old airfield near Woodlands Road - where ambulance crews were on standby.

Julian Bosley, acting sergeant of the air support unit, said the incident highlighted the vital work the police helicopter carries out on a regular basis.

“It is not untypical for the helicopter to rescue people in this way we have had similar results in the past,” he said. “It is fantastic when a job ends well like this.”