Man Vanished While Driving Home from Dinner with His Wife, Only to Be Found Alive in Crashed Car 2 Days Later

An 85-year-old man who went missing for two days in southeastern Australia has been located alive after a car crash. Jacobus “John” Bakkum was found trapped inside his vehicle on Tuesday, August 25, following a search that had garnered considerable public attention.

Bakkum was last seen on the evening of Sunday, August 23, after dining with his wife at the Harrietville Hotel Motel in Victoria. The couple often frequented the establishment, but after leaving around 8 p.m., he did not return home, prompting concern and leading to his family reporting him missing.

While his wife made her way home on foot, Bakkum took his vehicle, a 2007 Toyota Prado, for the short drive. Concerns regarding his wellbeing grew when he failed to arrive home as expected, leading to an immediate search for the elderly man. Eyewitness reports indicated that Bakkum had been spotted driving through Omeo at approximately 9:44 p.m. on Sunday night.

The search for Bakkum intensified on Monday, August 24, with reports from local residents suggesting another sighting in Biggara at around 10:30 a.m. the following morning. As the search continued, police noted that Bakkum had a physical condition that required the assistance of a walking stick, which increased worries about his safety.

Authorities were alerted as day turned to night without any sign of the elderly man, and dogs, drones, and search teams were deployed to scour the area. The search came to a head on Tuesday when Bakkum was confirmed to be found alive in his vehicle around 11:30 a.m. on the Omeo Highway. Remarkably, he was located down an embankment, more than two hours away from his home.

Police spokesperson Katherine McLeod announced Bakkum’s safe discovery, stating that he appeared to have been involved in a single-vehicle crash in Mitta Mitta during the period he was missing. A passerby is credited with locating his vehicle, which resulted in the prompt rescue.

Bakkum was transferred to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities confirmed that he will be reunited with his family following his recovery. “We are pleased to advise that missing Harrietville man John has been located,” McLeod stated, expressing gratitude for the involvement of the media and members of the public in the search efforts.

The incident has raised awareness of the importance of community vigilance, especially concerning the vulnerable, and highlighted the resilience of those involved in the search. Local residents and officials have expressed relief at Bakkum’s safe return, thanking everyone who played a part in finding him.

This experience underscores not only the challenges posed by such disappearances but also the strong bonds of community and family support that play a critical role in ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals in the region.