John Rimmer, 76, of Largo, Fla., was located at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, alive and well after falling down a ravine and spending overnight in a wooded area. A 911 call was placed at 7 p.m. last evening by a neighbor after Mr. Rimmer failed to return from a deer hunt.

Indiana Conservation Officers and Putnam County Sheriff’s Department responded to CR 650 West, approximately a mile south of Clinton Falls. A search was initiated with the help of local fire departments and volunteers which continued until 4 a.m. Sunday morning.

A ground search of the steep and rugged wooded area was organized at 7 a.m. Rimmer was located approximately a mile from his hunting location. He was taken by ATV to a waiting ambulance, then on to the Putnam County Hospital to assess his condition.
Rimmer told Conservation Officers he had fallen down a ravine after his hunt and became disoriented. Rimmer appeared to be in good spirits, cold, thirsty and tired, but alive and well.

A combined effort by 32 civilian, and law enforcement searchers, worked through the night on Saturday. Sunday morning there were 51 searchers who conducted a large scale ground search of the area.

Indiana Conservation Officer Lt. Kent Hutchins piloted his aircraft over the search area as well.

Indiana Conservation Officers encountered deer hunters during the search that stopped their hunt and joined in the search.

Assisting agencies: Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Greencastle PD, Bainbridge FD, Greencastle FD, Clinton Twp. FD, Russellville FD, Madison FD, Floyd Twp. FD, Bellmore FD, Bridgeton FD, Operation Life ambulance, Working Dogs Association.

Source: Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Division