State Police say an 85-year-old man died following a two-day search and rescue effort in the Town of Alma. Public Information Officer Trooper James O'Callaghan said the man was initially found alive, however Investigators Wednesday morning confirmed the man later died from a medical event in a hospital.
The search was initiated late Monday in an area off Pump Station Road in Alma. The search was suspended and resumed Tuesday morning. Trooper O'Callaghan said State Police provided extensive resources for the search to include drones and K-9 units. Allegany County Fire Coordinator and Emergency Manager Jeff Luckey said the man was located by family members in a wooded area. Wellsville Rescue transported the man on a UTV out of the woods. The man was taken by Wellsville Ambulance and Mercy Flight medics to Jones Memorial Hospital where he later died.
Luckey called the search effort "seamless." He said between 25 and 30 volunteers assisted in the search effort, traveling on several logging trails. In addition to State Police and Forest Rangers, crews responded from Allentown and Alma fire departments, Wellsville EMS and Rescue, a county search and rescue team and county emergency management.
