The story began at Salt Rock, W.Va., in Cabell County Monday, when Howard Lee Triplett, 80, and wife Nada Triplett, 74, opted to go to the grocery store and got lost afterwards, ending up in the Marrowbone Creek area, West Virginia State Police (WVSP) Sgt. Dotson said. The vehicle was stuck and the couple had to spend the night in the truck.
The Tripletts started walking Tuesday morning, but Nada Triplett became fatigued after walking approximately one-half mile, and her husband told her to stay where she was and he would walk to get help.
Nada Triplett was found a few hours later by an ATV rider, and was taken to Williamson Memorial Hospital, where she was admitted for the night.
Authorities did not realize Mrs. Triplett's husband was missing until the Wednesday morning.
Nada Triplett has health problems and is on medication for schizoprenia, Dotson said, while her husband suffers from dementia and is a diabetic, which concerned emergency officials.
State police were contacted, who dispatched a helicopter as well as a K-9 unit to search for the missing man. The Kermit Fire Department and a Mingo County sheriff's deputy set up a command post in order to coordinate the search, which eventually including approximately 30 community members.
One from Mingo County Sheriff's Department Deputy Smith, and Kermit Fire Department, community people with four wheelers, W.Va. State police aviation,
Some Mingo County residents worked with the West Virginia State Police, the Kermit Volunteer Fire Department and the a Mingo County sheriff's deputy.
A K-9 bloodhound followed Howard Triplett's scent for six miles before losing the trail, Dotson said.
Triplett was found at about 6 p.m., by Cpls. S.T. Harper and T. Berry and Trooper C.D. Kuhn. Triplett was taken to Williamson Memorial Hospital, dehydrated and disoriented, and was released.
Dotson said Howard Triplett had walked at least 10 miles before being found.
"But this guy stayed on the road, He did good," Dotson said.
Family members said the Tripletts' medical conditions may have contributed to their disorientation, Dotson said.
Post a Comment
