Civil Guards have located an elderly man who had been missing for two hours in a natural area near the Segura river in Algorfa. He appeared disoriented and heavily injured from the rough terrain as he tried to move along the road toward the river. The heat of the day added to his dehydration and fatigue, making the situation quickly more dangerous for someone his age.
Almoradi Civil Guard
At 4 pm on May 1, a Civil Guard patrol stationed in Almoradi received a report about a possibly confused elderly man seen near a rural area of Algorfa. The brief description suggested someone in need of assistance, wandering away from the road into the countryside and ignoring the danger signs that accompany extreme heat.
The 80-year-old man, described as of Swedish origin, had been visiting the area with a friend who arrived by car. The two were in the vicinity of the CV-920 route with the intention of releasing a pet, a yellow-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta scripta). After several hours spent walking in search of the shoreline, the man disappeared from sight while his companion waited anxiously in the car.
Upon receiving the alert, the Civil Guard and local police in Benijófar dispatched units immediately to the scene. When officers located the man, he was severely dehydrated and had multiple scratches and bruises across his body. Medical teams were summoned to the location and transported to the man for immediate care, confirming he was extremely weak and needed urgent stabilization. He was subsequently moved to a hospital in Torrevieja for further treatment.
The caregiver who remained with the man during the ordeal is recovering at home in Torrevieja after his condition improved. The turtle was later released back into a suitable habitat at the Santa Faz Wildlife Rescue Center, where staff can ensure its health and well-being remains monitored. This species is not native to the Mediterranean coast and requires careful handling and relocation to prevent ecological impact. [Citation: Civil Guard press release and local authorities]
The episode highlights the importance of staying hydrated and aware of the risks associated with long exposures to hot conditions, especially for elderly individuals who may be more vulnerable to dehydration and heat-related injuries. Community members are reminded to contact emergency services promptly when a missing person is suspected, and to avoid attempting risky rescues that could put both the individual and responders at risk. [Citation: Local safety authorities]