An elderly resident, aged 82, was rescued on a Sunday after being found walking alone along the central median of the A-7 motorway near the town of Ibi. Police sources say the incident unfolded around 4 p.m. at kilometer 460, close to the northeast access to Ibi, suggesting the man had possibly taken the highway by cutting through a lane at that junction.
The emergency coordination center 112, run by the Generalitat, received reports from drivers traveling on the A-7 who described spotting the senior man strolling along the highway median. A local patrol was sent to the scene to evaluate the situation and ensure the individual’s safety. For safety reasons, the southern connector of Ibi at kilometer 464 was briefly closed to allow the rescue operation to proceed without delays or danger to traffic.
Units on patrol eventually located the man still walking along the central median near the northeast junction. He appeared startled and explained that his aim was to reach a nearby cottage, but he could not locate it. He did not seem aware of his exact location or the peril posed by the busy road. Given his age and condition, police officers paused traffic on the A-7 for a short period so the man could move safely to the parapet that guards the central median and then cross toward the patrol vehicle.
The rescue team brought the elderly man to safety unharmed, and the officers notified his relatives about the situation. He indicated that he had wandered away from home and had not informed anyone of his whereabouts, causing significant distress for his family. Although the precise residence remains unspecified, it is believed he may have left one of the several cottages in the vicinity and became disoriented while trying to return, ultimately ending up on the highway.