Missing pensioner found alive

An elderly woman who has been missing from home has been found after spending up to three nights in a hedgerow.

A large-scale police search was launched this week after 86-year-old Hilda Pearce, from East Bridgford, was reported missing on Tuesday (25 September).

A large team of police officers have been searching East Bridgford and were today completing a search of a field between East Bridgford and the A46.

Two members of the public, husband and wife Errol and Deanna Manchester, asked police if they could help with the search and were directed by police to an area to search. They went on to find Hilda in a hedgerow in the field.

She was conscious and was airlifted to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham for treatment. It is not currently believed she has any life-threatening injuries.

Police believe Hilda, who has Alzheimer’s disease, left her address for a walk and later collapsed in the field, where she remained until she was found just before 12pm.

Supt Mark Holland said: “We were growing extremely concerned for Hilda as she had been out alone in the elements for up to three nights. We had searched a considerable area for her, which was continuing today.

“Two concerned members of the public wanted to help with the search and offered to help. They joined the police search and went on to find her alive. We are extremely relieved to know she is safe, as is her family, and our gratitude goes out to the helpful and caring members of the public for their help and assistance.

“Our thanks also go out to the wider public of East Bridgford, who have shown tremendous concern since Hilda was reported missing and have inundated us with offers of help and assistance. Their support was very much appreciated.”

The Manchesters, who live in East Bridgford, asked police if they could join the search after reading Hilda was missing on the Advertiser's website and in Thursday's newspaper.

Mr Manchester spotted her through a pair of binoculars in the third field they searched.

She was lying face down with a coat over her.

He rang the police.

"When someone goes missing in the community, they feel like one of the family.

"The feeling to find her was amazing and to find her alive was even better.

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