Achi news desk-
Police are searching for a 99-year-old woman who went missing from her south-east Melbourne home, with “terrified” family members appealing for the public to help find her.
Elva, who lives with severe dementia, was last seen at her home on Clayton Rd in Clayton at around 10am on Friday.
Elva’s son, David Tout, said in the past that she was known to attend bus services in the area and often traveled to the Box Hill and Glen Waverly areas. Mr Tout believes he could have got on a bus without realizing where he was going.
“We think she jumped on a bus or a train, thinking she was going somewhere but she won’t really know where she’s going or where she is in the world, ” Mr Tout told reporters on Friday.
“It could easily be confusing but knowing that buses (are) a safe haven for her.”
“Our fear is that she has fallen, I mean she is quite weak and she doesn’t have a lot of energy but she has a walker that will take her around.”
Mr Tout said her disappearance was “out of character” and “very unusual”, but added that his mother will likely be “up for a chat” if anyone comes across her.
It is unlikely that Elva remembers her home address or travels with any form of identification, Mr Tout said.
Senior Constable Lily White said police carried out “extensive patrols” around her local area, including within train stations, shopping centres, parks and local churches.
Elva was wearing a red knitted bonnet, gray or blue jacket, dark trousers, black shoes and was using a red walking frame when she went missing.
Anyone who sees Elva is urged to contact Oakleigh Police Station on (03) 9567 8900.
