14 November 2016

Missing autistic man Damien Ezzy found safe and well

| Charlotte
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Missing person Damien Ezzy found

Missing person Damian Ezzy was found safe and well on Saturday morning in Gordon.

ACT Policing patrols had been searching for Damian since Thursday and responded to several reported sightings, which unfortunately had not yielded results. Early on Saturday, police joined with SES volunteers, the ACT Rural Fire Service, ACT Emergency Services Agency Maps Team and members of the Australian Federal Police’s Search and Rescue team to continue a ground search throughout Tuggeranong.

About 9.30am, AFP Search and Rescue patrols responded to a report from a member of the public that a man matching Damian’s description was walking near a pond on Woodcock Drive, Gordon. AFP Search and Rescue members located Damien near the side of the road on Woodcock Drive, near Preddy Way.

Damian was accompanied by a woman who did not have a phone to call police, but had noticed he seemed vulnerable and decided to walk with him to ensure his safety.

When police located Damian he was well, talkative and keen for police to reunite him with his family.

ACT Policing notified Damian’s family immediately. Police also notified and thanked both the member of the public who reported seeing him near Woodcock Drive and the woman who had stayed with him.

The ACT Ambulance Service attended and assessed Damian, who was in good health given the circumstances.

AFP Search and Rescue Officer In Charge Station Sergeant Steve Cooke said the assistance of the public was greatly appreciated by police.

“We couldn’t have done this without the help of the public calling in sightings and sharing our social media posts and without the media spreading the word. We are extremely grateful to the public, to the woman who spotted Damian and the woman who was helping him.”

“The support from the emergency services and the SES volunteers was invaluable. This is a wonderful reminder of the great work that they do. So many members of the public wanted to help and we’d now encourage them to consider contributing to the SES.”

For information about the SES visit esa.act.gov.au/actses/join-the-ses

Statement from the Aunt of Damian Ezzy – Vida Thomson

“Damian is home safe and he’s doing well – this is the result we’ve been praying for and we simply can’t thank everyone enough.

From the day Damian went missing, our family has been overwhelmed by the response form the community, we’ve tried to respond to comments and messages of support as much as possible but it’s just been more than we could have ever anticipated.

We have been so deeply touched and moved by the love and care that the community and the search teams have shown towards Damian. We’re indebted to the people who went out of their way, searching the suburbs and sharing his photo over the past three days. I can’t express how grateful we are to you. In particular, we’d like to thank the staff and managers at the Calwell shops who looked out for him and helped the police with CCTV.

We were blown away by the dedication and professionalism of the search teams. We’re so appreciative of everyone who was out on the ground looking for Damian – ACT Policing patrols, the AFP Search and Rescue team, the SES volunteers, the ACT Rural Fire Service and ACT Emergency Services Agency Maps Team.

To the woman who spotted Damian and to the woman who was with him, thank you for helping bring him home to us.

To the community who helped and to everyone who searched for Damian, thank you, you are our heroes.”

Earlier report:

Damien Ezzy

Police hold concerns for the welfare of missing autistic man Damien Ezzy and are calling for public assistance to locate the 34-year-old. He was last seen at his Calwell home early yesterday.

Mr Ezzy may display mannerisms associated with autism including muttering to himself and pacing backwards and forwards.

He is described as Caucasian in appearance, 193cm (6’4”) tall, of a slim build, with medium length dark hair. He may be wearing a grey hooded jumper with a white logo and denim jeans.

Police believe he may be in the Greenway/Isabella Plains/Calwell area.

If you think you may have seen Mr Ezzy, or have any information on his whereabouts, please contact police on 13 14 44.

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