Cattle ‘help’ OSP find missing elderly Eugene man
Why did the cattle cross the road? Probably not to help Oregon State Police find a missing elderly Eugene man in Burns, but that’s just what happened Thursday.
Troopers said they got the unexpected help from a group of cattle crossing Highway 20 in Burns early Thursday afternoon.
According to Sgt, Brian Williams, around 12:15 p.m., Warren “Spud” Tucker, 87, was spotted in his 2006 Ford Focus by OSP Senior Trooper Tim Thomas in Burns while traffic was stopped on Highway 20 for cattle crossing the road.
OSP was on the lookout for Tucker after being notified of an “attempt to locate” bulletin for his car, which reportedly has left Bend Thursday morning , possibly headed toward Burns.
Eugene police said Tucker left his Eugene home around 9 a.m. Wednesday. He was reported missing by his daughter, who said he suffers from a medical condition, increasing the concern for his well-being.
After finding Tucker, OSP contacted Harney District Hospital in Burns, and hospital staff enthusiastically agreed to have him come there until his family could arrive and be reunited with him. He was in good condition and OSP secured his vehicle at a secondary location until it can also be retrieved by his family.
