An 85-year-old man from Australia, Jacobus “John” Bakkum, has tragically died in hospital after being reported missing and subsequently found in his car following a crash. His body was discovered two days after he vanished while driving home from dinner with his wife, Mary.
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On Sunday, 23 August, Bakkum failed to return home from the Harrietville Hotel Motel, where the couple had shared a meal. The last sighting of him was shortly after 8 p.m. that evening, when he stated he would drive home while Mary opted to walk the short distance to their residence. Concerns grew when he did not arrive home, prompting the family to alert authorities.
Victoria Police initiated a search for Bakkum, which led to a number of reported sightings before his vehicle was located down an embankment in Mitta Mitta, situated approximately 52 miles from his home. A passerby, who spotted the wreckage while turning to check on his dog, discovered the car off the Omeo Highway at around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, 25 August.
Bakkum was initially described as having sustained “non-life-threatening” injuries and was taken to a hospital in Melbourne for treatment. However, his condition rapidly deteriorated, and on Thursday, 27 August, police confirmed that he had sadly passed away.
Trevor Castricum, Bakkum’s nephew, recounted the circumstances of the discovery, noting that the passerby’s attentiveness played a crucial role in saving Bakkum’s life in the early moments after the crash. “He saw something and decided to look over the edge,” Castricum explained to local media. “It was only because the dog was on the right side that he was found. Without him, we could have still been looking.”
After the crash, family members arrived at the scene, where they spoke to Bakkum prior to his sedation for medical treatment. They described him as “chipper” at that moment, but they were shocked as his health took a turn for the worse shortly after.
As investigations into the cause of the crash continue, Castricum fondly remembered his uncle’s contributions to the Harrietville community, where Bakkum had lived since 1971. His roles included serving as the local postmaster, running the town’s general store, and establishing a building company. Castricum highlighted Bakkum’s active engagement in community affairs, having held various leadership roles on numerous committees.
Bakkum, who was born in the Netherlands, moved to Australia as a child, settling in Melbourne before marrying Mary and relocating to Harrietville. Family members expressed their gratitude toward the local authorities and community members who assisted in the search for Bakkum. “The local police were fantastic on the night he went missing,” Castricum emphasised. “They didn’t wait until morning, and that was really good.”
This incident has highlighted the importance of community vigilance and the efforts of emergency responders in search and rescue operations. Bakkum’s death has left many in Harrietville mourning the loss of a valued figure who had dedicated his life to the town and its residents.