Terrifying ordeal for missing pensioner

Eitan Grant - Eitan Grant • Published 15 Oct 2008 14:30

A freezing elderly woman may have lain for four hours with cuts on her face and soaking wet in the grounds of a care home.

Frail 79-year-old Helen Graham went missing after failing to return to Robertson House which provides extra care housing for elderly folk who can live on their own.

She is now recovering from her terrifying ordeal in the grounds of the Renfrewshire Council-administered facility.

She was found in the middle of the night, disorientated and suffering from hypothermia, in the back garden of the Rashielee elderly home.

Cops were called-in to investigate after Helen was reported missing and staff from the care facility searched for her.

One theory is that the pensioner tripped and fell as she made her way to the complex while returning from a visit to a relative in Glasgow.

The mum-of-two had been unable to get up and was completely soaked through as she lay in the freezing rain

One source said: 'She was in a terrible state.

'It"s a miracle she survived being out in that terrible weather for all those hours.

'She had facial injuries and was disorientated.

'She"s a fit pensioner and that what probably saved her life.'

Helen was conscious and talking when she was found as doctors treated her at the scene before rushing her to the RAH.

The source added: 'The search party had looked at a number of areas around the care home and been in touch with a lot of people.'

Officers were waiting to speak to Helen as she recovers from her injuries.

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: 'We are pleased that Mrs Graham is recovering and hope she will be able to return home soon.'

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This article appeared in The Gazette 15 Oct 08

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