WYANET — A 64-year-old Wyanet woman reported missing Monday was found safely just before midnight Monday evening.
Nancy Erickson was reported missing at approximately 5:20 p.m. Wyanet Police were notified of a missing female. Erickson’s husband advised that he returned home and his wife was not there. All her personal items, vehicle, purse, cell phone were left on the kitchen island at the home. Erickson’s husband stated to police that she had been last seen at a business in Princeton at around 11 a.m. He advised that she had a medical condition and some of the items that were left at the home she would have taken with her under normal circumstances.
Wyanet Police Chief Todd Marquez in a news release said that Wyanet Fire and Rescue were paged out to assist in a search of property behind the residence at 6:36 p.m. Monday. Bureau County Emergency Management Agency also was contacted along with the Christian Aide Ministries Search and Rescue out of Tampico.
An extensive search of the area behind her home was conducted. After several hours, members of the Christian Aide Ministries Search and Rescue located Erickson about a half mile from her residence in the woods. She had fallen down approximately 70 feet into a ravine. Marquez said Erickson was alert and talking with rescue personnel at the time she was found.
Members of the Christian Ministries, along with ambulance personnel, were lowered into the ravine to assess her condition. Life Flight out of Peoria was contacted and arrived on scene at 11:22 p.m. at which time Erickson was was flown to Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria for her injuries.
Assisting in the search were Wyanet Fire and Rescue, Christian Aide Ministries Search and Rescue, Jason Marquis with a helicopter, Bureau County EMA, The Salvation Army and many Wyanet citizens.
Marquez said Erickson’s family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation for all the volunteers that assisted in the search.