How footage from a home’s security cameras saved a woman’s life after she mysteriously vanished from a 60th birthday party before being found in the bush close to an SOS sign written in the dirt
- A woman who went missing in dense bushland four days ago has been found
- Deborah Pilgrim, 55, disappeared on Sunday after camping near Adelaide
- She managed to leave an SOS signal on the ground at property she came across
- Local residents found her after CCTV footage captured her SOS message
A couple’s home security camera helped save a woman’s life after she went missing in dense bushland while camping.
Deborah Pilgrim, 55, disappeared on Sunday after she went camping in Sedan, northeast of Adelaide, with friends for a 60th birthday.
She managed to leave an SOS signal on a dirt track, which was discovered by Neil and Betty Marriott’s son.
Deborah Pilgrim (pictured), 55, disappeared on Sunday after she went camping near Adelaide with friends
He stumbled across the signal while checking his parent’s CCTV cameras and then tracked down the missing camper.
They found Ms Pilgrim at midnight on a neighbouring property, where she had found a fresh supply of water.
Police explained the resident had been ‘intermittently logging onto his CCTV cameras’ as he was aware of the search for Mrs Pilgrim.
‘Last night he noticed that ‘SOS’ had been written in the driveway of his property, which hadn’t been there earlier,’ a police spokesperson said in a statement.
‘He alerted police who went to the property and commenced a new search.’
Ms Pilgrim said she went for a walk before becoming lost.
‘Went out for a walk in the bush and before I knew it, I didn’t know where I was… simple as that,’ she told 7News.
‘I walked through the daytime and then slept at night, found little shanty places – properties – that people weren’t living in.’
Ms Pilgrim managed to leave an SOS signal on a dirt track, which was discovered by Neil and Betty Marriott’s son through their CCTV
Ms Pilgrim said she tried to leave a trace of herself when she arrived at a new location, in the hope someone was looking for her.
‘Each place I went to I hung around there and left signs, calling cards, waved to cameras,’ she said.
But Ms Pilgrim said she ‘didn’t think’ anyone would be looking for her. It was only when she heard police calling her name that she realised it wasn’t the case.
The widespread search for Ms Pilgrim included a police helicopter, SAPOL’s STAR Group, State Tactical Response Group, Murray Mallee police, Mounted Operations and SES volunteers and drones.
There were plans for the search to enter its fourth day on Wednesday, before Ms Pilgrim was found overnight.
South Australian police confirmed Ms Pilgrim was taken to Angaston Hospital for a routine check up after the ordeal. She appears to be in ‘good health’.
They also extended their thanks to volunteers and members of the local community who assisted with the three-day search.
‘Police wish to thank SES volunteers and the numerous local property owners, many of whom searched the own properties on foot and horseback to assist with the search,’ the statement said.
The widespread search for Ms Pilgrim included a police helicopter, SAPOL’s STAR Group, State Tactical Response Group, Murray Mallee police, Mounted Operations and SES volunteers and drones