An 80-year-old man who went missing in the forest north of Jukkasjärvi was found by the Home Guard on Monday. He was severely hypothermic and is being treated for life-threatening injuries at Gällivare Hospital.
The man had gone out to pick berries on Sunday and got lost. He had last been in contact with a relative at 10 p.m. on Sunday evening. Police expanded the search on Monday and the Lapplandsjägarbataljonen along with Home Guard volunteers took part.
Two groups of five people searched the difficult terrain with wet mire. A soldier heard a panting breathing sound a few meters away and the man was found in a pit far from his car.
The man was hypothermic and wet. The soldiers began first aid and carried him to an ambulance helicopter. Johan Björnström, military incident commander, described the feeling as euphoric. Gällivare Hospital announced late Monday evening that he has life-threatening injuries and hypothermia.
