TINTON FALLS — Police credit the swift, concerted effort of area emergency workers with the rapid rescue of a lost Alzheimer’s patient last week.
John Bauman, 79, took his usual morning walk from his home at The Atria, an assisted-living facility on Pine Street, the morning of June 27; however, he never returned for lunch.
That alerted officials at the senior complex to a potential problem. Bauman is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and was normally expected to be at lunch.
Tinton Falls Police Capt. David Trevena said Atria staff reported that Bauman "usually takes a walk around the complex every day. This day he did not come back. The staff checked the grounds and the surrounding area. When they could not find Bauman, they called police."
The Tinton Falls police notified Monmouth County’s Field Command Unit and the sheriff’s department, as well as Holmdel, Wall and Manalapan police departments. The police departments and sheriff’s officers brought patrol dogs to the scene to assist in tracking Bauman. Tinton Falls’ Wayside and Pine Brook fire companies also arrived to assist and county helicopters circled above the densely wooded area near the facility.
The search lasted until about 9:30 p.m., Trevena said. When all efforts were exhausted and visibility waned, the search was called off until the next morning.
At 8 a.m. on June 28, the search was taken up again and Bauman was found about 45 minutes later in a "very heavily wooded area just north of The Atria. He was conscious and alert when he was found lying down in the woods," Trevena said. "He said he went for a walk and couldn’t find his way back. Luckily it wasn’t cold out or too warm. Otherwise, adverse weather could have posed problems for him being there all night. It was a good feeling when he was found. It was the result of a good effort put forth by everyone involved — all were deeply concerned and really felt for the man and the fear he must have experienced. All units worked well together. I’m glad the situation turned out the way it did."