A MISSING elderly man was found by a Lake District search dog called Bracken following a two-day search.

The 79-year-old man, who suffered from diabetes, went missing from the Maryport area while on a walk on Friday (December 16). 
After he failed to return home, police became anxious for his wellbeing and requested the assistance of the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team.

The Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs were also requested to assist the search overnight.

Fields and shoreline areas were searched based on information given as to the man's last known location, but no trace of him was found.

The following day a member of the public reported seeing him near the coast road closer to his home, so the MRT returned to cover footpaths, waterways and fields in the area, again without result.

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The local community were also out searching for the man, as many knew him and were concerned for him.

On Sunday morning, more Lakes Search Dogs were mobilised, and re-cleared some of the previously searched areas, as well as fields between the man’s home village and the coast. 
On late Sunday afternoon, he was finally found by search dog Bracken.

The man was in a serious condition and he was suffering from hypothermia. 

The night time temperatures had been very low at the time.
Bracken’s handler Elly Whiteford was soon joined by fellow search dog handlers, police and Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, who assisted the paramedics in caring for the casualty and to carry him to the Great North Air Ambulance.

After preliminary treatment, he was flown immediately to Newcastle RVI for treatment.

Sadly the man has since passed away.

The Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs team paid tribute to the man on their Facebook page.

The team said: “We have since had the sad news that our casualty has since passed away, our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”