Missing man found ‘safe and uninjured’ in Placer County wilderness after nearly five days

A 70-year-old jeeper who went missing for nearly five days along the Rubicon 4x4 trail in Placerville was found Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Warren Elliott was “found safe and uninjured” at Hell Hole Reservoir, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and Foresthill Fire Protection District said in social media posts.

“This is a tremendous relief for Mr. Elliott’s family and friends,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

Elise Soviar, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Offic, said Elliott made his way to Hell Hole Reservoir where he was able to “flag down a person” that had a satellite phone and texted 911, allowing rescuers to locate him.

According to firefighters, Elliott was being rescued by helicopter from the area where he was found and taken to Sunset Landing zone “for evaluation and transport to the hospital” as a precautionary measure.

Elliott went missing Friday after he disappeared from a group doing “trail rehab work” ahead of the Jeepers Jamboree . Search crews navigated difficult terrain while searching for him through the weekend.

Those search efforts continued into Wednesday morning. The Sheriff’s Office said rescuers on off-road vehicles and a National Guard Blackhawk helicopter were tasked with the search.