Some 50-75 volunteers turned out Monday afternoon to assist in the

search for 80 year old Ralph Elliott of 2175 Wilborn Road, Virgilina

and the effort was successful when a State Police helicopter spotted

him around 5 p.m., lying down in a wooded area across the road from his

home.

"We are so grateful to members of the Red Bank community who notified

us of his missing and to the numerous firefighters, rescue personnel

and neighbors who helped in the search," said Captain Steve Cassada of

the Halifax County Sheriff's Department.

Although the Sheriff's Department did not get news of his missing until

shortly after 2 p.m. Monday, neighbors had been concerned about the

elderly man who was known to be on medication. Cassada said Mr. Elliott

no longer drove an automobile, but neighbors had routinely carried him

to the grocery store and helped out when needed. He was last seen,

Cassada said, on Saturday afternoon after having been taken to the

grocery store. A neighbor went by the house on Sunday, but got no

answer when he knocked on the door. On Monday a neighbor once more

checked at the house and found the front door unlocked, but could not

find Mr. Elliott. His dog and constant companion was lying alone in the

yard. At this point, the Sheriff's Department was notified and they in

turn called out the search and rescue team, along with two canine

units, one from Halifax and the other from Mecklenburg.

Also called out was the State Police Med Flight unit from Lynchburg

which carries the pilot, a nurse and an EMT. Just as the plane started

to land in a field across the road from Mr. Elliott's home, they

spotted the man lying in a wooded area some 250-300 yards from his

home. Soaking wet from the recent rains, Mr. Elliott was examined and

airlifted from the spot to a Lynchburg hospital.

"We are so grateful to the folks of that community for their care, as

well as to all the firefighters, rescue workers and law enforcement

officers who turned out to assist in the search," Cassada said. "It was

just a wonderful ending to a scary situation."