UPDATE 11am Saturday: The Moruya-based Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter became airborne again on Saturday morning to continue in the search for missing 77-year-old Ray Speechley.
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Police, SES and VRA volunteers are also assisting in the search.
UPDATE 4pm Friday: The search for Ray Speechley is ongoing - unfortunately they haven't found him yet. It's been 24 hours and heading into the second night. There are reports he was seen walking north along the highway in the construction zone at Dalmeny just before 5pm Thursday. NSW Police will continue to coordinate the search overnight and over the weekend. The IRT Group says it will also continue to promote awareness of Mr Speechley's disappearance and call for help via IRT social media.
Original story: The Westpac Lifesaver helicopter, the VRA and police are searching for a 77-year-old man with dementia who wandered off from a Dalmeny nursing home on Thursday afternoon.
The IRT Group said Ray Speechley scaled two fences, including a six-metre-high boundary fence, and was staying at IRT Dalmeny for a few days respite.
He was last seen at 4pm heading towards the highway. He has Alzheimer’s disease and answers to the name Ray.
Westpac rescue helicopter CEO Stephen Leahy said Lifesaver 23 was at 9.15am on Friday searching over Brou Tip Road, north of the IRT Dalmeny nursing home. The helicopter service received the call for help at 10pm on Thursday night and became airborne at 8am on Friday.
There is grave concern for the man given the current cold and wet conditions.
Police say they were alerted after Raymond Speechley, aged 77, was last seen at the retirement home on Ruth Place. He left the home and couldn’t be located or contacted.
Officers from Far South Coast Local Area Command launched an extensive search of the area with assistance from the Volunteer Rescue Association rescue squad.
The search was suspended Thursday night due to the weather conditions; however, resumed about 8am Friday.
Serious concerns are held for Mr Speechley’s welfare due to a medical condition and the inclement weather in the area, a police statement said.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 175cm tall, of medium build with grey hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing jeans, a dark jacket with a pyjama top underneath.
Anyone who sees Mr Speechley or believes they know his whereabouts to contact Batemans Bay Police Station on 4472 0099.
The IRT Group released a statement on Friday morning saying Mr Speechley climbed two fences at IRT Dalmeny where he had been staying since Monday, July 4, following a recent stay in hospital.
IRT is calling on members of the public to assist with his safe return. Craig Hamer, CEO IRT Care said: "Mr Speechley suffers from Alzheimers and is normally cared for at home by his wife. "This was Mr Speechley's first period of respite care and employees report he was enjoying community activities yesterday morning before scaling two fences — including a six-foot high boundary fence — to exit the Community.
"At this stage it's hard to know what caused Mr Speechley to scale the fences, however Alzheimer’s Disease can cause people to become agitated unexpectedly," he said. "Thankfully an IRT employee saw Mr Speechley exit the Community (area) and we were able to commence a foot and car search within minutes."
Mr Hamer said IRT employees notified police and Mr Speechley's family, and searched until 6.15pm last night, at which point it became too dark to continue safely.
"Narooma Police and the Volunteer Rescue Association commenced a grid search last night and are today continuing their search by air and land,” Mr Hamer said. "We ask that members of the public assist by phoning 4476 2044 if they see anyone that looks like Mr Speechley. Ray is a much loved husband, father and grandfather and we are praying for his safe return."