A Brampton senior who was reported missing by her family has been found safe after she spent the night outdoors, Peel Regional Police say.
Police launched an extensive search for Olga Azar after she left her family's residence on Pluto Drive, near Bovaird Drive and Kennedy Road, Wednesday at about 5:45 p.m. and disappeared.
Police Sgt. Matt Small said the 74-year-old woman was found Thursday at about 7 a.m. in the bush near Highway 410 and Williams Parkway, more than a kilometre away from the Pluto Drive home.
Small said the woman was examined by paramedics and then taken to hospital as a precaution.
“She’s no worse for wear. She was out all night,” Small told CP24 reporter Katie Simpson at a command post. "We're grateful that she was found safely."
It is believed the person who found Azar and then notified police recognized her from media reports.
Family members and police were very concerned about Azar's well-being because she has Alzheimer’s disease and Type 1 diabetes, and they were worried she was exposed to the extreme heat.
Police believe the insulin-dependent woman missed a scheduled dose of medication Wednesday night, and they feared she may have become confused or disoriented.
“As time goes on our concerns definitely increase as to her physical well-being,” police spokeswoman Const. Lilly Fitzpatrick told CP24 before the woman was found.
Police launched an immediate search for Azar after she was reported missing. Officers scoured yards, parks and ravines by foot, and an aerial search was conducted with a helicopter belonging to York Regional Police.
Investigators set up a command post at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School, and a canine unit and foot patrol officers continued to scour the neighbourhood Thursday morning.
With files from CP24 reporter Katie Simpson.
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