German police have launched a desperate helicopter search for a 91-year-old woman who has been left stranded alone in a car somewhere in a forest, after her husband — who also suffers from severe dementia — wandered away to seek help and was later found 250 kilometres away with no memory of where he had left her.
Ursula Obigt, who is almost completely blind, cannot walk, relies on a wheelchair and also has dementia, has been missing since Tuesday 5 May. She is believed to still be inside the grey MG ZS SUV she and her husband set out in — possibly stuck deep in woodland in the Brandenburg region of Germany and entirely unable to help herself.
The couple were last captured together on CCTV at 18:18 on Tuesday evening, passing through a toll tunnel in Lübeck. Ursula was visible in the passenger seat. At some point after that, the car became stuck in a wooded area. Her husband got out to find help — but due to the severity of his dementia, he became completely disoriented and lost all recollection of where he had left his wife.
He was found on Wednesday in a helpless condition near Kremmen in Brandenburg, without the vehicle. He was able to tell officers only that he had become stuck and had left the car to get help, leaving his wife inside. He could not say where the car was.
Berlin police issued a public appeal for information, describing the situation in stark terms. “She is likely in a completely helpless situation,” a spokesperson said. Investigators believe she is most likely still inside the vehicle, which may be concealed in woodland or areas not visible from the road around Kremmen, Amalienfelde, Orion, Staffelde and the surrounding region.
Brandenburg police have deployed a helicopter as part of the search and rescue operation, but as of Thursday evening no trace of the vehicle had been found. Ursula is described as 5ft 2in with a stocky build and grey hair. Police say they are unable to provide details of her clothing as her husband could not recall what she was wearing when they set out.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the criminal police directorate in Berlin on 030 4664-271100, or to call the emergency number 110.
