Search Continues For Elderly Oregon Man Who Reported Falling In A Hole Before Losing Contact

Authorities in Oregon put out an urgent call for the public’s help finding a lost 78-year-old man who reported that he had fallen into a hole before losing cell phone contact.

Tom Weightman, 78, was last seen by his family at around 10 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Valley Crest Way and Circle Crest Drive in Forest Grove, when he went for a walk, according to the Forest Grove Police Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Office. He was reported missing shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday when he did not return.

“During a brief cellphone contact, Thomas said he fell into a hole and was unsure of his location,” the sheriff’s office said. Due to the are being remote, authorities have been unable to determine his position using cellphone data.

In an update, police said Weightman was spotted walking Gales Creek Road at around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Investigators believe he fell into a hole or ditch in the area.

As the search continued Thursday, authorities asked property owners in the Gales Creek and Hillside areas, particularly south of NW Wilson River Highway, along NW Gales Creek Road, and down to NW Mystic Drive, to check their properties for Weightman.

Weightman is described as 59, 165 pounds, with gray hair, gray beard, and glasses, and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a red flannel bottom-up shirt, and a dark colored baseball hat.