Missing man found alive, had gotten stuck in the snow

MOUNT ANGEL, Ore. - A 79-year-old man who had been missing since Wednesday was found alive in a snow-covered area.

Donald Linvill was last seen around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday and according to police, was known to go on sightseeing drives.

A search on Wednesday turned up nothing, but on Thursday, a Silverton resident out driving in the snow found Linvill's vehicle in the Scotts Mills Crooked Finger area. The man did not approach the vehicle, but instead called police.

Deputies found Linvill inside the vehicle - alive, slightly confused and dehydrated. He had no food or water and was dressed in light clothing.

Linvill told the deputies that he had gone to the area to enjoy the beautiful day, but had gotten stuck while looking for a place to turn around. The snow kept getting deeper and he stayed with his vehicle, running the engine and heater a few minutes every hour and turning on his heated seats every half hour.

Linvill was taken to an area hospital where he was examined and released.