Elderly Berry Picker Spends Night Lost in Forest, Rescued by Police

An elderly berry picker in Urjala, Finland, found himself stranded in the forest overnight after his strength failed him, leaving him unable to find his way out. The man, over 80 years old, had gone berry picking on Wednesday. His modest equipment and lack of camping gear meant he was ill-prepared for an extended stay in the woods. Despite his predicament, he hesitated to call for help, not wanting to inconvenience the authorities. The situation came to light when he finally contacted the emergency center on Thursday morning. Responding to the call, police deployed a drone unit and a dog patrol, including a young police dog named Rölli, to search the difficult terrain. After approximately three hours, the man was located and taken into the care of emergency medical services for assessment. Fortunately, considering his age, the man was in relatively good condition and was able to walk out of the forest with assistance. Officials noted that the mild night and the presence of his mobile phone, which still had enough battery to make the emergency call, were crucial factors in his rescue. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness when venturing into nature.

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The terrain was difficult to navigate. It took about three hours from the alarm until we got the person assessed by emergency care and into custody.