Found vehicle, then ‘Bubs’: lucky escape for Ruatoria grandfather

Heartfelt thanks from family after two spend hours searching for grandfather

A Ruatoria grandfather had a lucky escape from floodwaters on Monday night thanks to the rescue efforts of his neighbour and local police.

Albert “Bubs” Woodford, aged 89, was on his way home from Napier with a laden trailer when he became trapped by flooding off  State Highway 35.

Ruatoria Acting Sergeant Matt McVey was on duty when he received the emergency call saying Bubs had raised the alarm north of Tokomaru Bay.

He immediately put a plan in place to search for him.

He contacted Bubs’ granddaughter, Rylie Fox, in Tauranga, who was able to provide details of a neighbour Matt could call to check if Bubs had made it home safely.

Acting Sgt McVey contacted the neighbour, Graham Mathieson,  and after ascertaining that Bubs had not arrived home, the two agreed to drive towards each other between Tolaga Bay and Ruatoria to see if they could spot him. But when they both arrived in Te Puia Springs, neither had seen him.

Rylie Fox continued to call her grandfather’s cell phone to try to locate him.

Meanwhile, Matt McVey identified that the emergency call had been made near Tolaga Bay, while also keeping Rylie up to date with the search efforts.

Despite the wet and stormy weather, Matt and Graham searched the roads for several hours until they spotted faint tail lights on Anaura Road, and found Bubs’ vehicle, and subsequently, Bubs.

He had taken a wrong turn and ended up caught in floodwaters, wading  in neck-deep water for a kilometre before Matt and Graham found him soaked to the skin and extremely cold.

They took him to Te Puia Hospital where he was given dry clothes, a hot cup of tea and something to eat.

Rylie says if it wasn’t for Matt and Graham, the outcome could have been very different.

“I can’t thank the efforts of these two men enough,” she said.

“I really appreciate their hours of searching, keeping me informed and working together for a great result.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for what you did.”