MISSING for two days, Damien Ezzy was found safe and well this morning  (November 12) in Gordon.

Early this morning, police, SES volunteers, the ACT Rural Fire Service, ACT Emergency Services Agency Maps Team and members of the AFP’s Search and Rescue team were continuing a ground search throughout Tuggeranong when, at about 9.30am, a woman reported that a man matching Damien’s description was walking near a pond on Woodcock Drive, Gordon. AFP Search and Rescue members located him near the side of the road on Woodcock Drive, near Preddy Way.

Damien was accompanied by another woman who did not have a phone to call police, but had noticed he seemed vulnerable and decided to walk with him to ensure his safety.

When police located Damien he was well, talkative and keen for police to reunite him with his family.

The ACT Ambulance Service assessed Damien, who is in good health given the circumstances.

AFP Search and Rescue Officer In Charge Sgt Steve Cooke said: “We are extremely grateful to the public, to the woman who spotted Damien and the woman who was helping him.”

“The support from the emergency services and the SES volunteers was invaluable.”

Damien’s aunt Vida Thompson, in a family statement. said: “From the day Damien went missing, our family has been overwhelmed by the response from the community, we’ve tried to respond to comments and messages of support as much as possible but it’s just been more than we could have ever anticipated.

“We have been so deeply touched and moved by the love and care that the community and the search teams have shown towards Damien. We’re indebted to the people who went out of their way, searching the suburbs and sharing his photo over the past three days. I can’t express how grateful we are to you. In particular, we’d like to thank the staff and managers at the Calwell shops who looked out for him and helped the police with CCTV.

“We were blown away by the dedication and professionalism of the search teams. We’re so appreciative of everyone who was out on the ground looking for Damien.

“To the woman who spotted Damien and to the woman who was with him, thank you for helping bring him home to us. To the community who helped and to everyone who searched for Damien, thank you, you are our heroes.”