Winnsboro, SC – Fairfield County deputies used a thermal imaging drone to locate a missing elderly man late Tuesday night after an hours-long search across the Winnsboro area, officials said.
According to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 10:30 p.m. on January 21 to a home on Matthews Drive after a report that an elderly man had been missing since approximately 4:30 p.m. The individual was last seen sitting in a vehicle in the driveway, and his cellphone had stopped functioning.
After an initial search of the property, deputies expanded their efforts to nearby roads and wooded areas. With limited visibility, investigators deployed a newly donated drone equipped with thermal imaging technology, which was provided by Clyde McFadden. A K-9 team from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office also joined the operation.
Using the drone’s heat-detection capabilities, deputies successfully located the missing man near a structure off McDuffie Road. Emergency Medical Services responded, and the man was transported to MUSC Fairfield for evaluation.
Family members were notified of the recovery, and deputies cleared the scene once the individual was safely turned over to medical personnel.
The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to McFadden for his donation of the drone and to the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance, noting that the equipment was critical to ensuring a safe outcome.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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