Elderly Victorian man missing for 48 hours found alive in crashed car off Omeo Hwy

An elderly Victorian man missing for 48 hours after leaving his local pub has been found alive in his crashed car.

Jacobus Bakkum, known as John, vanished following a visit to the Harrietville Hotel in Victoria’s High Country with his wife on Sunday.

His disappearance sparked frantic searches and Victoria Police made appeals to the public for help in tracing him.

But now, the search has concluded after Mr Bakkum was found inside his car about 11.30am local time on Tuesday.

Despite the short journey he had been expected to make, Mr Bakkum’s 2007 Toyota Prado was found off the Omeo Highway at Mitta Mitta, around a two hour’s drive away from the pub.

Police have confirmed Mr Bakkum was alive when he was found, but trapped in the car.

He has now been taken to hospital and will be reunited with his family.

“It appears he was involved in a single vehicle crash in Mitta Mitta some time over the last two days and has been located this morning, just after 11.30am, in Mitta Mitta,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

“His vehicle was located by a passer-by down an embankment just off Omeo Highway. He will be transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and will be reunited with his family.

“Police would like to thank media and the public for their assistance.”

It remains unclear precisely when the crash happened, with potential sightings reported in the Biggara area on Monday morning.

Originally published as Elderly Victorian man missing for 48 hours found alive in crashed car off Omeo Hwy