Quick Response Likely Saved Life of Woman Outside in Snow Without Coat, Outer Wear

A report of a missing Lake Orion Township woman could have had a different outcome if deputies hadn’t acted quickly.

Deputies were alerted at 12:40 a.m. Saturday that the 63-year-old woman was missing from her home in the 1800 block of Indian Wood Road.

The woman’s husband told authorities he couldn’t find his wife anywhere in their home and he thought she left on foot. She was not dressed for the conditions – about 10 degrees at the time.

Several deputies began searching the immediate area and found the woman sitting against a tree in the snow. She was not wearing a coat or any outer clothing, and authorities thought she had been outside for more than an hour

The Orion Fire Department and STAR ambulance responded and treated the victim for minor frost bite to her feet, then transported her to St. Joseph Hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

Deputies did an outstanding job locating a woman outside in the elements,” Lt. Daniel R. Toth, Orion Station commander for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, said. “This may have  had another ending if not found when she was.”